Feature: Colorful, noisy carnival kicks off in Pernik, Bulgaria

SOFIA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Over 10,000 people wearing masks took part in Bulgaria's traditional masquerade festival on Friday in Pernik, a town located 30 km west of Bulgaria's capital city of Sofia.

Masquerade rituals in Bulgaria are believed to be dating back to pagan times, when people tried to chase away winter's evil spirits by putting on scary-looking ritual masks and making as much noise as possible with rattles and bells, and to bring fertility and health, and to prepare people for a new beginning.