The First Official Visit of Bulgaria’s New President Began in a Village, Not a Palace

The first official visit of Bulgaria’s new president, Iliana Yotova, did not take place in a capital city, a government building, or a diplomatic hall. It happened in a small mountain village. On 1 February 2026, she arrived in Delchevo, a village in southwestern Bulgaria, to take part in one of the country’s oldest traditions, the ritual of Trifon Zarezan, the celebration of wine and vineyards. The choice was not accidental. It was symbolic. Bulgaria’s new head of state decided to begin her mandate not with protocol, but with roots.

Who is Iliana Yotova and how did she become president

Iliana Yotova is a long-time public figure in Bulgaria. Before becoming president, she served for years as vice president of the country and earlier as a Member of the European Parliament. Her political profile combines experience in European institutions with strong public positions on culture, national identity, and social cohesion.

In January 2026, following the resignation of President Rumen Radev, Yotova assumed the office of president according to the Bulgarian Constitution. With this step, she became the first woman to hold the highest state position in Bulgaria. Her presidency began in a period of political tension and public fatigue with institutions, which made her first public gesture especially important.

By choosing a village and a tradition, she sent a clear signal. Power should remember where it comes from.

Why Delchevo mattered

Delchevo is a small village near the town of Gotse Delchev, close to the Greek border. It is known for preserving local customs, especially the annual wine festival dedicated to Trifon Zarezan. The event gathers local wine producers, farmers, families, and guests from neighboring regions, including Greece.

For more than two decades, the ritual has been celebrated publicly, combining folklore, religion, agriculture, and community life. This made it a natural stage for a message about continuity and identity.

The ritual itself, step by step

The celebration begins outside the village, in the vineyards. The ritual of Trifon Zarezan dates back centuries and marks the symbolic start of the new agricultural year for winegrowers.

A selected vine is approached. It is blessed. A few branches are cut carefully, symbolizing renewal and hope for a rich harvest. The vine is then sprinkled with wine, an act meant to ensure fertility and abundance. Bread and salt are shared, followed by wine tasting.

During the ceremony in Delchevo, Iliana Yotova participated directly in the ritual. She cut the vine, poured wine over the roots, and raised a toast with local producers. Traditional music accompanied the event, and people gathered closely, not as spectators, but as participants.

Later, in the village square, the celebration continued with folklore performances, local food, and competitions for homemade wine and brandy.

The message behind the gesture

In her public address, President Yotova spoke about the strength of traditions, the role of villages in preserving national identity, and the importance of respecting people who work the land. She emphasized that politics must serve real communities, not abstract power games.

Starting a presidency with a ritual rather than a speech in a hall was a deliberate political statement. It showed an intention to reconnect state authority with everyday life, culture, and memory.

For foreign readers, this moment explains something essential about Bulgaria. Modern politics here still speaks the language of rituals, land, and community. When a president pours wine on a vine, it is not folklore for tourists. It is a sign of legitimacy.

The first step of Iliana Yotova as president was taken on soil, not marble. That choice tells a story worth noticing.