On February 22, 2025, the third edition of the "Martenița Festival" took place in Brussels, bringing together the communities of Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and other countries in the spirit of shared tradition. The program included a bazaar of marteniți, a workshop for making them, and a cultural program with official representatives.

The festival is part of European-wide initiatives to promote intangible cultural heritage. The tradition of martenița, recognized by UNESCO, unites different nations and carries a message of health, luck, and new beginnings. The Bulgarian Cultural Association in Belgium was the main organizer of the Bulgarian stands, with enthusiastic volunteers participating in the workshops and teaching children how to make marteniți. Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of handmade marteniți, and the cause was charitable—the funds raised will be donated to the children of "Karintz Dom" in Bulgaria. The atmosphere was filled with joy and creativity, and every sale brought smiles and hope for new beginnings. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Belgium and Luxembourg and the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.

Each participating country offered guests a diverse program. Our participation was met with thunderous applause, especially for the young dancers from the folklore formation "Ha Tropnete" from Antwerp, who, under the guidance of Alexandrina Radeva, performed traditional Bulgarian dances, creating a true celebration for the eyes and hearts of the audience.

The event was attended by the Ambassadors of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the consul from the embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia. On the Bulgarian side, Ms. Veneta Zayakova, Chargéе d'Affaires of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Belgium and Luxembourg, congratulated the participants, hosts, organizers and guests in Bulgarian, English and Romanian, emphasizing the importance of cultural dialogue and shared traditions.

Moldova hosted the third edition of the festival, providing the impressive space of the Maison Communale de Saint-Gilles for the event. The historical building, with its magnificent architecture, added even greater solemnity to the event, and the atmosphere was filled with the spirit of shared tradition and cultural unity.

The fourth edition of the festival will take place in 2026, hosted by Romania, continuing the tradition of strengthening the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cultural exchange.