On March 1, a number of countries celebrate the Spring Festival, which defeated winter. It is not related to Christian holidays dedicated to the date of Lent, but comes from the ancient legend of Spring.
One day the Sun descended to earth in the form of a beautiful girl. The sun wanted to dance and have fun. The Evil Serpent stole it and locked it in his palace.
The birds stopped singing, the children forgot what fun and laughter were. The world plunged into sadness and despondency. One brave young man volunteered to save the Sun. For a whole year he searched for the Snake Palace, found and challenged the Snake to battle.
They fought all day and night, and the young man, of course, defeated the Serpent. He liberated the beautiful Sun. It rose to heaven, illuminating the whole world. Nature came to life, people were happy, but the brave young man did not have time to see spring. His warm blood flowed into the snow. The last drop of blood fell. A courageous young man died.
Where the snow melted, white flowers grew — snowdrops, messengers of spring, and flowers, the white petals of which were dotted with spots red as blood.
This holiday is celebrated in Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova (where it is called Mercisor).