Musical instruments
The instrumental music traditions of the Pirin region carry within themselves a variety of vocal performances but the accompanying function of the music, especially during holidays and rituals remains. The…
Coppersmithing
Coppersmithing is a craft typical of the Pirin region. In the 19th century copperware was widely used on a day-to-day basis at home, as well as in professions such as…
Woodworking
In the past, wood was the primary material for building. According to traditions in pre-modern society, wooden objects connected humans to nature and created rhythm and harmony with the surrounding…
Pottery
Pottery making is a century-old tradition that always stood between the craft and the art. Pottery craftsmen chose the color, shape, and style of the clay pot based on its…
Goldsmithing
Goldsmithing used to be one of the most precise crafts at that time. It was also considered the most prestigious one. Historically, goldsmithing was part of urban culture and crafts.…
Belt buckle or Pafti
Pafta is a Persian-Turkish word and means belt buckle. Despite originating from the East, pafti was a traditional Bulgarian adornment worn by Bulgarian women between the end of the 19th…
Festive clothing
The best representation of Bulgarians’ artistic expression and their perceptions of the beauty of man and nature can be found in the festive women's costumes. They consist of multiple elements,…
Female clothing
The folklore culture portrays not so much the history of events but the history of the perception of the world. The traditional Bulgarian costume, no matter the local ethnographical identity,…
Saya clothing
The traditional clothing in South-West Bulgaria belongs to the so-called “sayano obeklo” or clothing, typical with the top part of the costume, named “saya.” The saya is completely open on…
The Pirin Region
The textile processing in the Pirin region doesn’t go far beyond the domestic utility of the craft. However, it has given life to artistic expressions unique for the region. Each…