Julay's holiday in Bulgaria — is one of the unofficial holidays, which, however, thanks to the enthusiasm of young people, has already become a tradition.
The name Julay is taken from the famous song of the rock band Uriah Heep (July Morning — July Morning, 1971). The holiday arose in the late 1970s in the bosom of the hippie movement in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian julia is unique and is not found anywhere else in Europe. Every year from June 30 to July 1, groups of young people from Bulgaria itself and abroad flock to the Black Sea coast to celebrate sunrise together over the sea early in the morning. And although this is not a religious or pagan ritual, the participants in this action are convinced that in this way they are purifying themselves.
Initially, the holiday arose as a protest against the former communist government. The symbolic meeting of the new morning was perceived as a new beginning, as a desire for a better future. After the collapse of communism, contrary to expectations, the holiday grew, although the original idea underwent significant changes.
Nowadays, protest is associated rather with the liberation of the individual from the shackles of the big city and global civilization as a whole. There has also been a division by age. Due to the influx of newcomers unrelated to the original idea, old members (the so-called «old hippars») began to celebrate not only Morning, but also Evening the night before in a place near the village of Varvara.
As before, however, the anthem is the same song July Morning. It is interesting to note that to the delight of those present, the rock band Juraj Heap itself visited this holiday several times.