THE HOLIDAY OF ST.CONSTANTINE AND ST.HELEN AND FIRE DANCING

The holiday is held to commemorate Emperor Constantine The Great and his mother Helen who are associated with the imposition of Christianity as the official religion.

A typical rite performed in the Strandzha mountain is the dance on embers called fire dancing. It is usually performed by women who are older and can no longer give birth. Through their dance these women must embody and send out power and inspiration.