At first light, we gathered barefoot in the dew, with songs and silence.
Quietly, we climbed toward the sunrise. Along the path, we picked herbs – St. John’s wort, thyme, tansy, wild geranium. We wove our wishes into wreaths.
Near the chapel of St. George, we blessed them with water, and with faith in the purity of the morning. A ritual for health, beauty, and feminine power. The magic of this day lingers in us still.
Enyovden is celebrated each year on June 24th and is considered the most magical day in Bulgarian folk tradition. It is believed that at sunrise, the sun “trembles,” and herbs gathered before dawn hold their strongest healing power. That’s why people rise in the dark, walk barefoot through the dew, pick wild herbs, wash in flower-infused water, weave wreaths, and whisper wishes.
The holiday blends pagan and Christian traditions, holding both the mysticism of nature and the blessing of St. John the Baptist.
It is said that on this day, the heavens open, and whatever you wish for in the silence of the sunrise, will come true.
At GELA, we honored Enyovden in a way only this place allows – with pure air, wild silence, sacred sites, and feminine softness.
We shared the ritual, and stayed together in the morning. Some in silence. Others with song. But all with open hearts.
