A closer look
Most winter festivals involve hot cocoa and ice skating, but Bulgaria prefers to ward off the cold with sheer terror. During Surva, thousands of locals dress as Kukeri, donning terrifying wooden masks and draping themselves in massive, smelly goat pelts. They strap heavy brass bells to their waists and stomp violently through the streets to deafen and banish evil winter spirits. It is a chaotic, primal spectacle that perfectly illustrates the bold Balkan approach to dealing with negative seasonal vibes.
