In Bulgaria, there is a tradition called July Morning (Bulgarian: Джулай Морнинг) as an echo from the hippie era of the 1970-1980s. People from across the country travel (often hitchhiking) to the Black Sea coast on the night of June 30 to meet the first sun rays on the 1st of July. British rock band Uriah Heep's 1971 hit July Morning is the main refrain.
Although the tradition was emotionally linked to the hippie movement in America, it is still popular in Bulgaria. It is probably not observed anywhere else, because of its specific role as a subtle protest during communist times. "Official" celebrations started in Varna in 1986. It is argued that arose as a protest against the communist government, expressed in the symbolism of the title track of Uriah Heep. The symbolic meeting the sunrise was like welcoming a new beginning and a better future for the initial participants. In recent years have spread to Kamen Bryag, Kavarna, Shkorpilovtsi, Irakli, Burgas, Sozopol, Varvara, Ahtopol, Chernomorets as well as the whole Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Initially, celebrants gathered on Pier 1 in Port of Varna East; now the vigil takes place on beaches as well.
Some argue that the tradition has lost its original meaning over time. Also, younger people do not necessarily know under what circumstances it was started or even who the author of the song was (namely, Uriah Heep). In Bulgaria, the sea is associated in the first place with summer vacation and good time, and July 1 is about when vacation starts for most high schools and colleges.
The feeling of elation from the first morning sun rays as a symbol of a new beginning in life, however, is still the main reason people observe the celebration. July Morning may be related to sun worship (see also Peter Deunov) and to midsummer night rites popular throughout Bulgarian lands from time immemorial. It is believed that the best way to experience July Morning is to retreat with a few friends to one of the quiet beaches on the Black Sea facing east.
A personal account
"The year was 1980, the place - south beach in Varna, the participants - four or five people and the idea belonged to Violin Stankovich. In the autumn most of us were about to enter the army, and this was our last carefree summer. And we use it at full speed with little sleep and lots of shenanigans. It all happened by chance and without any preparation, just Villy said: Hey do you want to spend a night on the beach and watch the sunrise in the morning? We all said YES so it all began. Then we said it would be good to came each summer on this same day. From 1980 to 1983 we had no opportunity to see each other, because we were sent as soldiers to different parts of the country to guard it against "bad imperialists who only waited a convenient time to conquer and enslave us all ". Next meeting on this occasion was 1984, then in 1985 / again on the south beach in Varna /. Only in 1986 the idea began to gain popularity and held its first event in Kamen Briag.
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