St. Nicholas Day in Sozopol: U.S. Army Soldiers observe local Bulgarian tradition

Photo By Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes | A Bulgarian citizen throws a wreath into the Black Sea in Sozopol, Bulgaria, December 6, 2021. Locals gather every year to celebrate St. Nicholas Day with a procession, wreath ceremony and feast on traditional Bulgarian fish foods. Wreaths are tossed to honor the lives lost to the Black Sea. The U.S. is honored to continue our long-term cooperation with this strategic ally that continues to demonstrate leadership from the Black Sea region to the Balkans region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes)  

SOZOPOL, BULGARIA

12.06.2021

Story by Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

Soldiers with the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion visited Sozopol, Bulgaria, on December 6, 2021, to observe a local tradition.
Locals gather every year to celebrate St. Nicholas Day with a procession, wreath ceremony and feast of traditional Bulgarian fish foods. St. Nicholas is the patron of fishermen and bankers. The wreaths are tossed into the Black Sea to honor those that lost their lives throughout the year.
The U.S. is honored to continue our long-term cooperation and cultural engagements with Bulgaria as a strategic ally that continues to demonstrate leadership from the Black Sea region to the Balkans region. The U.S. appreciates Bulgaria as a steadfast and gracious host to regionally-allocated forces at Novo Selo Training Area, which provides units with premier range facilities, contributing to overall combat readiness of U.S. and allied forces.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2021
• Date Posted: 12.12.2021 05:57
• Story ID: 410709
• Location: SOZOPOL, BG
• Hometown: SOZOPOL, BG
• Hometown: ONSTED, MI, US
• Hometown: SABULA, IA, US