I will not arrest anyone. What we are striving for is to have a torchlight procession on the Day of the Awakeners. We believe that things should happen differently – our self-awareness and identity should be preserved. This is the way to stand up for Bulgarianness. This was stated to bTV by the mayor of Elin Pelin, Ivaylo Simeonov.
And he specified that the ban on celebrating Halloween is only in places that fall under the mayor's jurisdiction - schools and kindergartens.
"Bulgarianness is giving way to a mass, commercial and colorful holiday, and we strive to turn the focus to our Bulgarian part, without having to arrest, detain, have scandals and fights. There will be no scandals and disagreements," the mayor was categorical.
There is nothing instructive about this holiday and every time there is talk of "mischief or treat", which means "diabetes or prison", Simeonov commented.
And he shared his personal experience from meeting children who stated that November 1 is a holiday "because we go around at night for candy".
Traditionally, November 1 is celebrated with special solemnity in the town of Elin Pelin - with a prayer service and a torchlight procession, which involves hundreds of residents of the town and surrounding villages, students, teachers, athletes, community center amateurs and clergy, the municipality noted.