Lobosh village is situated next to Rudina Mountain, within 30 minutes of the town of Pernik.
The population of the village is only between 100 – 200 people, but there is a great group younger generations that are enthusiastic about practicing the Surva traditions.
The villagers collect tree bark, bird feathers and leathers throughout the year in anticipation for new masks they will begin to create each October. The large masks such as the one in the back of this photo are called “likove” ( ликове) and are made by the villagers. The smaller wooden masks are called referred to as “heads” ( глави) and are made by Lobosh artisans Rumen Hristov and his father Georgi. The group selected earthtones colors – red, orange, yellow and brown to they emphasize the natural elements of their masks.
The day before the holiday on January 13th, a few men collect wood from the mountain and they prepare a bonfire at the center of the village. Everybody enjoys the masquerade dancing around the fire during the night.
On the morning of January 14th, the survakari group visits all the houses in the village and they wish good luck and health for the new year to all the members of the village.
“We are proud to maintain the tradition and we are the proof that it is passed down from generation to generation from father to son, we are proud that our group is distinguished by masks and costumes and is composed of young people who carry Surva in their hearts.” – Radoslav Velinov, Survakar
