If you are tired of flowers, candies and heart-shaped balloons, you can kiss St. Valentine’s goodbye and dedicate 14 February to another love- the one towards wine! Every year on the same date, Bulgarians all over the country gather and celebrate St. Tryphon- the patron of vineyards.

We took a trip to a town called Suhindol, famous for its winemakers and wine production, to indulge in wine-tasting and feasting and learn more about the festivities held on this day. Bulgarians have been celebrating 14 February as St Tryphon’s day for centuries. In Suhindol, the tradition began 157 years ago.

Saint Tryphon was a third-century Christian martyr who lived in the Roman Empire. He is famous as an animal healer. Tryphon was beheaded in the year AD 250 for his Christian beliefs, martyring him and glorifying his legend in the church. How he became associated with wine is not certain. His image has been linked to the pagan god Dionysius, who the ancient Thracians worshipped.
One legend which may explain his association with wine is the legend of his vine-pruning accident. According to it, Saint Trifon, working away at trimming and maintaining the vines of his vineyard, observed a beautiful woman passing by the field. While looking at her, he accidentally snipped off a part of his nose.
Nowadays, Bulagians are ritually pruning the vines on St. Tryphon’s day, substituting the nose cutting accidents with log feasts, traditional dances and a contest for electing the Wine King of the year.

In the video report, you can find more about the celebration and the traditions connected to this day. Enjoy watching!

The video material and the interview are part of the E-volution Media project implemented by the BRCK organisation and co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps program of the EU.

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.