Cosmic ritual on Bulgarian mountainside celebrates new year

(22 Aug 2016) LEAD IN:
A unique traditional cosmic ritual has taken place on a wide plateau of Bulgaria's blustery Rila Mountain.
The White Brotherhood was founded in the late 19th century and, according to the teachings of its founder, mid-August marks the beginning of the New Year.

STORY-LINE:
On the windy surfaces of Bulgaria's Rila Mountain, followers of the White Brotherhood gather for a unique, annual cosmic ritual.
According to the teachings of Petar Danov, the founder of the brotherhood, the 19 August marks the beginning of the New Year.
That leads these followers to converge on this wide mountain plateau, around 2,100 metres (6,900 feet) above sea level.
Through a mixture of rhythmic meditation exercises and spiritual songs, they celebrate the passing of the summer season and the beginning of a new year.
The highlight of the day is this so-called "paneurhythmy" dance, a ritual which sees thousands of pilgrims form large concentric circles.
It's intended to symbolise the movement of the stars and planets.
In groups of two, performers move in circles, following the rhythm of the music.
One participant, 45-year-old professional dance instructor Nantika Verkooijen Lopez from Peru, is attending the "paneurhythmy" for the first time.
Having performed the dance in her native country for years, she's delighted to finally take part in Bulgaria.
"Well, this is a cosmic celebration for me. It's (the) first time I'm here and I danced the Paneurytmya already for five years in Peru. I teach the Paneurythmya in Peru," says Nantika.
"It is a very precious dance. It's a light dance and it means a lot for the world, for the humanity, for the new world. So, for me it is a combination of meditation and dance and happiness and singing and altogether it's marvellous."
Sometimes - such as this year - followers can face unpleasant weather at these altitudes, but they must ignore the sweeping wind and rain to complete the ritual.
Followers believe mountains are a symbol of the divine world, and Rila Mountain in southern Bulgaria is said to energise worshippers with spiritual powers.
White Brotherhood followers place a heavy emphasis on brotherly love, a healthy diet and living in harmony with nature.
"Happy Holidays to everyone. Today we celebrate the new divine year," says Angela Angelova, a German language teacher and Paneurhythmy instructor.
"We celebrate it with this wonderful divine dance of light - Paneurhythmy. Paneurhythmy is sacred.
"In the circle of Paneurhythmy we step in with a sacred awe, because we know that Paneurhythmy means higher cosmic rhythm.
"Playing Paneurhythmy helps us to enter into harmony with that supreme cosmic rhythm and becoming fellow workers, God's servants and workers of light."
The "paneurhythmy" - which means universal cosmic rhythm - lasts for around one hour and takes place at sun rise.
Music is played on various instruments, but priority is given to the violin.
"We play Paneurhythmy here, this is a sacred dance, a meditation in a motion," explains a 65-year-old musician, Petar Ganev.
"You can see it here, the way we formed concentric circles, symbolising the Sun. Our aim is to reach to the cosmic rhythm of our Solar system."
Now over 100-years-old, the White Brotherhood movement has survived challenging times. It was banned under Bulgaria's communist regime.



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