By masking as a kuker – a pagan spirit chaser – and retreating into the Balkan mountain range, I aim to rediscover what we Bulgarians are repeatedly taught as children, but rarely experience as adults: the power and mysticism of Bulgaria. Though our current lives have nothing to do with the greatness of our nation that we once learned about in our patriotically charged history classes, one thing that always lifts our spirits is our culture. The cure for these feelings of insignificance is found in our rituals, our folklore, our songs: they bring the Bulgarian spirit to life. Transforming myself into a kuker allows me to chase the evil spirits of doubt, shame and irrelevance; to rediscover my roots; and to submit to the mystical power that the Balkan holds.
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