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Added on the 18/01/2019 15:32:38 - Copyright : AFP EN
Dozens of men from Kalofer waded into the icy waters of the Tundzha river and danced the Hora in a traditional male-only event to celebrate the Christian holiday of Epiphany, on Friday. The men dressed in national costume and dived into the freezing waters to find a crucifix thrown in by the priest before handing it to the youngest participant of the dance. The participants then danced and sang traditional Bulgarian songs to the sound of bagpipes and drums played by other men who ventured into the water. Locals believe the tradition will keep them healthy for the coming year. Many of them drunk litres of red wine to help them withstand the sub-zero temperatures. Are you brave enough to take a swim in sub-zero waters for your faith?
A German tourist braved freezing conditions in Oymyakon, one of the coldest inhabited settlements in the world, on Thursday, as he took an icy dip into the river while air temperatures stood at -50° Celsius (-58° Fahrenheit). Ice-dipping is a long-held tradition among Orthodox Christians, for Epiphany Day, which is observed on January 19th in the Orthodox calender. It celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ and is said to cleanse and purify the plunger.
Hundreds of New Years revellers plunged into the ice-cold waters of Lake Ontario on New Year's Day, braving the cold for the 11th annual Polar Bear Dip in support of Habitat for Humanity in Toronto. The Polar Bear Dip, also referred to as the Polar Bear Plunge, is an annual event traditionally held on New Year's Day in Canada to celebrate the coming year in which the participants go to a local lake and strip down to swimming wear as well as some other festive articles of clothing, such as Santa hats, before taking a dip in the ice cold waters. Participants also donate some funds to a good cause. All the money raised in the Polar Plunge goes towards building affordable housing for low-income families and those in need. Would you ever want to ring in the new year by taking part in the Polar Bear Plunge?
Some 2,000 people begin the carnival season with an icy 'baptism' in the Danube river. Diane Hodges reports.
Orthodox Christians in Istanbul celebrate the epiphany with a traditional church service before divers plunge into the Bosphorus River for a crucifix. Tara Cleary reports.
The public was back this year in Rome to witness the traditional New Year's Day jump into the Tiber from the Cavour Bridge. IMAGES
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