On the market:
By Caroline Graham
Last updated at 8:58 AM on 10th March 2009
Dressed in their finest clothes and gold jewellery, thousands of teenage Roma girls were paraded around by their parents this weekend - at an open-air brides market.
Wearing lots of make-up, the teenagers came to the traditional annual market in Bulgaria, hoping to find a husband - and preferably one willing to pay a large amount of money for his future spouse.
A girl on offer dances during a traditional wedding ceremony at the open-air market
Pick me: A girl on offer dances during a traditional wedding ceremony at the open-air market
'We take our daughters to this gathering so they could get acquainted with boys, for we do not allow our children to go to discos,' explains Elena from Kapitan Andreevo.
At the market in the village of Mogila near Stara Zagora, the price of a beautiful young woman is said to be several thousand levs/euros.
A mother poses with her daughter hoping to attract a wealthy husband
Special offer: A mother poses with her daughter hoping to attract a wealthy husband
Younger siblings came along too to play and eat sweets while one newly-wed couple bellydanced on top of an old car to show their happiness at finding a match.
Several wannabe-brides joined in, showing their eagerness to be married.
Golden opportunity: Girls get made up to come to the event and wear their best clothes
Golden opportunity: Girls at the event wear plenty of make-up and their best clothes
The event takes place on the first Saturday after the start of the orthodox Easter fast - the Day of Saint Todor, or Horse Easter.
On top of the world: The market is also a chance for newly-married couples to celebrate a match by dancing on cars and drinking spirits
On top of the world: The market is also a chance for newly-married couples to celebrate a match by dancing on cars and drinking spirits
This year the gathering attracted some 2,000 people who came from all over southern Bulgaria including Plovdiv, Pasardzhik, Sliven and Jambol.
Some 2,000 Roma came to Saturday's event
Big draw: Some 2,000 Roma came to Saturday's event
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