In Bulgarian, the word for “spring” is “пролет” (prolet), and it comes from the Proto-Slavic “proletь,” which consists of two parts: “pro,” meaning before, and “lěto,” meaning summer. Thus, it describes the time before summer comes.
In a similar manner, the word “jaro” in Czech comes from “jarъ” or “jarь” in Proto-Slavic, and they themselves come from the Proto-Indo-European word “yōro,” which means “year, spring.” This can be connected to the Latin word “hōra,” which means “time,” “hour,” or “season.” We can go even further by observing Ancient Greek, where the word “ὥρα” (hṓra) holds a similar meaning.
On the other hand, if we take a glance at Romance languages, the Romanian “primăvară” (which also sounds similar to the Italian and Spanish “primavera”) is derived from the Latin prīmus (“first”) and vēr (“spring”).
A slightly different case that is worth noting is the word “vesna” (Cyrillic: “весна”), which is used in multiple Eastern European languages, such as Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish (although in a little bit different form: “wiosna”). It is in fact the name of the Proto-Slavic goddess of springtime and youth.
The etymology of all these words becomes quite fascinating as the bigger picture is drawn and the languages of Eastern Europe intertwine. What is certain is that they all express this beautiful season as a new beginning, rebirth, a time when nature wakes up, flourishes, and grows. Indeed, spring is truly one of the most cherished times of the year, and for what it’s worth, its effect can be deeply felt in society. As the sun shines a little bit brighter and the world seems to become just a bit more colorful, people begin to perceive their surroundings with a touch of hope and inspiration. Naturally, such feelings have long been admired and celebrated. Eastern Europe’s hidden beauty blossoms in the spring, and a few springtime traditions and holidays step in to mark this time of the year.
Martenitsa (Cyrillic: “мартеница”) is a Bulgarian tradition, dating back to ancient times, which celebrates the anticipation of the arrival of the new season. Its name comes from the month of March; the occasion is symbolically marked on the 1st of the month. The most distinctive feature of this day is the exchange and wearing of small red-and-white wool bracelets, also called martenitsi. They symbolize health, luck, and strength, and people wear them until they see a stork or a blossoming tree, which are signs of the coming of the new seasons. Two recognizable figures are the dolls of the white Pizho and the red Penda, which are also made out of wool and worn as tokens. Additionally, the mythical figure of Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) personifies the spring and is said to control the weather during the unpredictable season. The tradition is included in UNESCO’s “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list, as it is celebrated in other regions in Eastern Europe in a similar manner. One notable example is the Mărţişor, which is observed mainly in Romania and Moldova.
Another intriguing holiday is Slovenia’s Gregorjevo, or St. Gregory’s day. Celebrated on March 12, it also marks the beginning of spring and the arrival of warmth. An outstanding tradition was born in connection with days getting longer and artificial light not being needed anymore in workshops and public spaces. People believed that St. Gregory “tossed his lamp into the water,” and thus they started creating small boats and houses with candles, called “gregorčki.” The event is complemented by singing, dancing, and general celebrations.
Other more recognizable holidays include Lazarice (Cyrillic: “лазарице”/”lazaritse” in Serbian or “лазаруване”/“lazaruvane” in Bulgarian), which is a South Slavic tradition occurring during Eastern Orthodox holidays, one week and one day before Easter. On this day, young girls wear colorful and rich traditional costumes, create flower wreaths and go around door by door to sing and dance, blessing homes and wishing for health and warmth. Then, the flower wreaths are tossed down in a river.
Spring is the season which admires the new beginning and the rebirth of nature. It excites us like no other time of the year could. An obvious change of setting is noticeable as nature transforms, but one might feel an internal change: it is that peculiar feeling of hope which makes the occasion so special and worth noting. Eastern Europe certainly captured that feeling and presented its true beauty to the world.
This article was first published as part of the Sundial Press printed edition in Spring 2026
Photo Credits: Vetre Antanaviciute-Meskauskiene
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