December 25 — Bulgarians Celebrate Christmas
December 25 is Christmas Day in Bulgaria, marking the Nativity of Christ. In Bulgarian tradition, it follows Christmas Eve, when families gather around a meat-free ritual table and await the birth of Christ. On Christmas morning, the Nativity Fast ends and the day becomes more open, festive, and communal. One of the best-known traditions is carol-singing by groups of young men called koledari, who visit homes with songs and blessings for health, fertility, prosperity, and protection. The holiday combines church observance with deeply rooted folk customs, making it one of the richest moments in the Bulgarian winter calendar. It links family, faith, music, food, and wishes for renewal.
December 25, 1982 — Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 Are Commissioned
On this day in 1982, Reactor Units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant were commissioned. Kozloduy was Bulgaria’s first nuclear power station and a central project in the country’s socialist-era energy strategy. The commissioning of the two units expanded electricity production and reinforced Bulgaria’s ambition to be a significant regional energy producer. Nuclear power also became a point of long-term debate, especially after 1989, when questions of safety, modernization, and European standards grew more important. Units 3 and 4 were later taken off stream at the end of 2006 as part of Bulgaria’s commitments connected to European Union accession, giving the date a second layer of historical significance.
Explore more of Bulgaria’s story on Bronicable, including our Bulgaria From Above series and our guides to the best of Bulgaria.
Continue with December 24 or December 26. For more stories and places, explore Bulgaria From Above and the guides in our Bulgaria category on Bronicable.
