KALOFER, BULGARIA - JANUARY 6: Bulgarian men perform the traditional "Horo" dance and wave Bulgarian flags in the icy winter waters of the Tundzha river in the town of Kalofer, as part of Epiphany Day celebrations on January 6, 2021. Musicians are playing bagpipes and traditional "tapan" drum in the icy waters and in the bag thjere are the snowy tops of mountain Stara Planina. As a tradition, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and it is believed that the one who retrieves it will be healthy throughout the year as well as all those who dance in the icy waters. In 2021 due to Covid restrictions the gathering of people is forbidden and the mayor of Kalofer called people from around the country not to come to the celebrations. However, the ritual took place and people still gathered to watch it. (Photo by Hristo Rusev/Getty Images)
