Today is Liberation Day, officially known as the Day of Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Oppression, the national holiday of Bulgaria. Of course, this was celebrated in Ruse. Among others with the longest flag in Bulgaria (900 meters!). Unfortunately I didn’t make it on time to see it, so I don’t have pictures of it. Instead, I took advantage of the free transport in the city, made available to celebrate March 3.
Not that public transport is expensive – it’s 1.50 bgn per trip (around 77 euro cents), but I just never got to using it before. Since the sun was shining after weeks of cloudiness and super cold weather, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take a visit to Mall Rousse!
Mall Rousse
The mall of Ruse is actually officially called “Mall Rousse”, Rousse being the English spelling of the city name.
There are three floors inside the mall, but the second floor seems to have very few open shops.
There was this cute display for the celebration of Baba Marta (meaning “Grandmother March”), a Bulgarian tradition that marks the beginning of spring. It starts on March 1st. People give each other small red-and-white decorations called martenitsi (мартиници), usually made of yarn, as a symbol of health, happiness, and good luck.
The tradition comes from Bulgaria, but some neighboring countries like Romania and North Macedonia also have similar customs. The idea is that Baba Marta is a mythical old lady who controls the weather in March. If she is happy, the sun shines; if she is grumpy, it stays cold. Wearing a martenitsa is believed to bring good luck and make Baba Marta happy, so spring comes sooner!
There’s also a cinema in the mall!
As well an arcade for young and older children/teens.
After coming home, I ordered some food from my favorite restaurant and after that, I went out for another walk. Although a bit late, I went to the Danube river to see the sunset. That’s where I took this picture. The sky was so beautiful! I’ll be sure to go back on time some time to take a better picture of the sunset at the Danube river.
Oh! And they handed out free flags of Bulgaria at Ruse Mall! So I got me one of those too. :D
