Bulgarian crafts - traditions to preserve with our hands

The creative spirit of the Bulgarian has found expression in almost everything he touches. The skilled Bulgarian hands have been creating magic since time immemorial, whether they hold a piece of wood, raw clay, or a woolen thread that will turn into a colorful embroidery.

In the past, people used local raw materials and resources for their creations. What they produced was driven by the needs of daily life. During the Revival period, the development and popularization of folk crafts began across the Bulgarian lands, but the focus on natural materials remained. New decorative styles emerged, and craft guilds were formed. It was during this time that the first art schools were established – Debar, Bansko, Kalofer, Samokov, and Troyan.

The revival and the emergence of art schools

During the Revival period in Bulgaria, the first art schools and Renaissance craft centers were established. The works of folk crafts reflect not only the aesthetic views of society at the time but also the practical needs of daily life. The connection between different crafts and ways of life is close, and each piece carries its own uniqueness, with some of them being vivid works of art. Crafts such as pottery in Busintsi and Troyan, as well as carpet weaving and textile production in Chiprovtsi and Kotel, are among the most significant. The primary goal was to perfect the skills in working with natural materials and achieve harmony between various styles and techniques. This beginning laid the foundations for innovative approaches, known as the 'secrets' of the craft, passed down from generation to generation, from master to apprentice.

Pottery – a sacred craft

Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in the Bulgarian lands and is considered sacred. Mastering it requires not only hard work and dedication but also a 'divine gift.' At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, pottery flourished in Troyan, Gabrovo, Berkovitsa, Razlog, Aytos, and other places. Despite the mutual influence between different regions, each of them preserved its own specific forms and decoration style.

Ceramic works

Ceramic vessels in Bulgaria often follow the forms of copper vessels. In addition to household items, potters also create objects for church use, such as baptismal fonts and censers. Some pieces are plain, while others, such as jugs and plates, are true works of art. The most famous pottery in Bulgaria is Troyan ceramics. It is known for its 'wet' pattern and the unique sgraffito technique. Characteristic motifs include floral elements, birds, and geometric friezes. Pottery and woodcarving are the main crafts in the Troyan region today. This craft was inherited from the Thracians, Romans, and Slavs and has continued to develop through the centuries.

Bulgarian traditional crafts: timeless and enduring

Bulgarian traditional crafts are impressively resilient to the forces of time. Or at least, as long as there are skilled masters who can pass down their knowledge through generations.

This is how our idea was born – to turn Golyama Zhelyazna into a hub for crafts. To preserve and safeguard this ancient knowledge and rebuild the connection between master and apprentice.

The Sharena Fabrika will be a home for creativity, bringing together masters and workshops in woodcarving, sculpture, restoration and furniture recycling, icon painting, weaving, felting, embroidery, the making of folklore costumes, ceramics, and pottery.

And yes, we’ll be telling you more about these crafts very soon.