Gabrov dol is in the outskirts of Cherna Gora Mountain, 28 km to the west of Pernik. Each of its inhabitants speaks of the Surova feast with love. Especially inspired is the story of one of the old-time survashkari: “I was born in 1949 and in 1955, just 6 years old, I began playing in the survashkari group. The games are on 13 and 14 January – amidst winter. It could happen that I am sick, with a high temperature, but when the old masked survashkari go to play in the night on the 13th, I get out of bed and go with them. I play all night and in the morning I am healthy. There were many other children in the group as well.
The men manufactured the likove (masks) in the town hall building, and we, the children, hovered around them all day long. The masks of Gabrov dol are the best and the lightest, because we make the construction from branches, then we stretch on them a canvas and we put feathers and wings from all kinds of birds on it. But the whole village collects those feathers, in each house and months before the event. There was a moment when the whole village started breeding turkeys for the sake of the survashkari’s masks. On the feast itself, we visited the houses in our village for good health, but we also went to the neighboring villages – Berende, Elov dol, Kosharevo, Svetlya, Chepino.
It is the same on Surova until today – all day and all night, all roads and paths in between are filled with bells, masks and games. Unearthly beauty… And we are the prettiest. I have written a poem about Surova.”
Gabrov dol Surova pretty –
Tradition is alive with us.
Our masks shine with beauty,
They don’t have equal in the world.
On 13 January, when the hour strikes
Bells and cowbells start ringing,
The drums beat on the square.
With fearful masks we chase the evil
To go outside of the village.
We wish good luck, health and fertility.
We make tours all over the country,
And even already abroad –
France, Latvia, Taiwan.
Where we step a feast happens,
Everyone is amused with us.
So it will be during the centuries,
You should be sure of it!
On the planet Earth
We are ambassadors of peace.
Where we pass, the evil leaves
And the good is praised.
He who plays with us
Will be healthy and cheerful every hour.
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