The Regional Open-Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar" was established as a center for the study of the traditional culture of the Balkan Range people. Today, this unique site near Gabrovo serves as a place where customs and traditions from the Bulgarian folk calendar are revived. A team of 70 specialists works to preserve and promote them. From September 6 to 8, Etar Museum will host the 19th International Fair of Traditional Crafts. Fifty distinguished artisans from Europe, Asia and Africa will take part in the event, including several of Bulgaria’s "living human treasures".

 "This is a title awarded by the Ministry of Culture. Those who hold it are included on the UNESCO list due to their distinctive and highly specialized skills. These may be individuals or entire organizations — for example, community cultural centers known as chitalishta”, explains Tihomir Tsarov from the team of the Regional Open-Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar".

''Etar Museum is the only organization in Bulgaria with two 'living human treasures'. We have successfully defended the nominations of two of our master craftsmen — the young hereditary master confectioner Boyan Minchev and mutafchiya master (master maker of goat's-hair articles) Hristo Marinov, who became the museum’s first 'living human treasure' exactly two years ago. Of course, there will also be an exhibition dedicated to these living human treasures, which will showcase craftsmanship in its contemporary form'', said Tihomir Tsarov. 

• Etara – unique open-air museum

The exhibition "The New Valuable" – Contemporary Craft Art from Bulgaria features more than 40 local artisans. Due to the high artistic value of their work, many of them are included in the Homo Faber Guide catalogue of the Switzerland-based Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.

"The Spirit of Traditions" is the title of another exhibition in one of the houses on the Etar Museum's marketplace street (charshiya). The photographs on display will take us on a journey through craft events across Bulgaria. 

An academic forum dedicated to intangible cultural heritage is also being organized as part of the International Fair of Traditional Crafts. Music is also part of the three-day program of the International Fair of Traditional Crafts. The programme features performances by numerous brass bands, the folk metal band Balkandji, the percussion band Foli Ba, and the bagpipers from Devin, who have also been recognized as a "living treasure."

''Madlen Bozhilova, who has preserved a weaving tradition from the Kyustendil region and has actually revived an ancient and distinctive technique, will also take part in the festival. Her skills are so highly valued that the Ministry of Culture has declared her a "living human treasure." Her family environment shaped her as a master craftswoman, but she continued to develop her skills and reach new heights'', said Tihomir Tsarov.

The International Fair of Traditional Crafts will also welcome some very special guests – the women from the village of Zhabokrat. 

''They make Kyustendil zelnik — a living tradition preserved by the Saglasie 2007 People's Community Centre and recognized by UNESCO as a "living human treasure" because of the skillfulness involved in its preparation. The process begins with rolling out very thin dough sheets using a rolling pin called a “sukalkya”. Then the sheets are lightly dusted with corn flour. The pastry is always baked in a wood-fired oven. For this reason, one of the ovens at the museum will be kept burning throughout the three days of the fair. These women are considered "living human treasures" because of their unique skill in preparing this particular type of zelnik, which no one else in Bulgaria can make'', Tihomir Tsarov went on to say. 

If you step onto the cobblestone streets of Etar Museum, you will be transported back in time to the marketplace of a Bulgarian Revival-era village, filled with craftsmen and their workshops. This year, you’ll also have the opportunity to hear traditional music from West Africa, performed on authentic instruments. You’ll also witness an intriguing competition where participants from Hungary, North Macedonia, Malta, Romania, Latvia, Moldova and Bulgaria will compete in creating bead jewelry. There will also be a youth section featuring students from the National Academy of Art.

The International Fair of Traditional Crafts is one of the most significant cultural events in Bulgaria. Its 19th edition is held under the auspices of National Assembly Speaker Natalia Kiselova.

Photos: IEFSEM-BAS; fair.etar.bg, facebook.com/etar.fair