On St. Spyridon’s Day REM–Plovdiv Opens a UNESCO Photo Exhibition

On December 12, Plovdiv will celebrate the craftsmen’s holiday with a procession through the Old Town and the traditional ritual testerlik – the conferring of the master craftsman title. The events marking St. Spyridon’s Day – the patron saint of craftsmen – are organized by the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv and the Regional Chamber of Crafts.

The celebration will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the courtyard of REM–Plovdiv. At 10:30 a procession will set off from there toward the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, where a festive liturgy will be held. After the service, the procession will return to the museum for the performance of the traditional testerlik ritual.

This year, six members of the Regional Chamber of Crafts will be awarded the master craftsman title for their significant contributions in leatherworking, knifemaking, artistic leathercraft, and jewelry making. Seven journeymen will be recognized for their skill and creative achievements in crafts such as artistic knitting, hat-making, and tailoring.

At 12:30 p.m., the museum’s main hall will host the opening of the thematic photo exhibition “Living Crafts of Southeast Europe,” organized by the Regional Centre Sofia – UNESCO in partnership with cultural institutions and museums from all 17 member countries. The exhibition features 30 photo panels and presents more than 50 traditional crafts from the region – from ceramics and weaving to woodcarving, blacksmithing, and basketry.

A special focus is placed on Bulgarian craftsmanship, presented through unique visual materials provided by the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv and the Open Air Museum “Etar.” The exhibition aims to highlight the richness of craft traditions and their connection to the shared cultural heritage of the region.

The entire program celebrating the craftsmen’s holiday will be recorded as a kind of reenactment of the traditional ritual for conferring the master’s title, established in the 18th century. The sacred, ceremonial, and religious elements of the rite will be presented in its authentic Revival-era form – from the offering of kolivo and the pentekhlebie, through the liturgy and the distribution of bread and wine, to the festive procession led by the ustabashi carrying the emblematic green staff topped with a red apple.

The procession will be accompanied by bagpipes, kaval flutes, and numerous citizens. The celebration will continue in the museum’s courtyard with the awarding of master belts, certificates, and symbolic tools, followed by festive treats, music, and traditional dances.