About Martinki

In certain parts of the Balkan (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova) there is a custom associated with the first day of March. It is called “Grandma March” Day. On this day typical red and white tassels, pom-poms or knit (braided) bracelets are exchanged, given to loved ones and they are worn pinned on clothing or tied on the wrist. The hand-made amulets are known by many names as: Martinki (Мартинки in Macedonia), Mártenitsa (Мартеница in Bulgaria), Mărţişor (in Romania and Moldova) and they are associated with the beginning of the spring, when this small artifacts made of red and white woolen thread containing a message with good and positive feelings and expectations, is given to the loved ones. People wear them until the nature starts to bloom and then hang them on trees.

Since 2013, the custom associated with this amulets was proposed to be protected as intangible cultural heritage with the multinational application to UNESCO, in which Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldavia took part.

Since 2017 HAEMUS is legally safeguarding “Martinki” as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listed by UNESCO

The little bracelets called “Martinki” that are made out of red and white thread and comprise part of the Macedonian cultural tradition associated with the 1st of March (the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere) were in 2017 listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This impressive group success of Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria, was possible on Macedonian side thanks to the efforts invested by HAEMUS, as an organization dedicated to scientific research and promotion of Macedonian cultural heritage.

Typical amulets around the wrist given to the loved ones for love, luck and health
(photo and the amulet courtesy by HAEMUS)