A BULGARIAN WOMAN DANCES ON FIRE IN BULGARI, 2003-06-03 (photo)

A Bulgarian woman carries the icon of St. Constantine and Elena as she dances on a fire in the village of Bulgari, some 500 km south-east from the capital Sofia on June 3, 2003. Historians say that the unique Bulgarian ritual of fire dancing was performed by the country's most ancient inhabitants, the Thracians, between fourth and sixth century BC. The performers, called Nestinari, dance to the accompaniment of a drum and a bagpipe. According to Vesselina Ilieva, a 57-year old fire dancer, one should believe truely in God, be good and wish evil to no one to become a Nestinar. She said psyhological preparation and cold feet were key to fire dancing. Performers enter into a spiritual trance and are believed to be able to fortell the future. REUTERS/Oleg Popov REUTERS OP/AS