Restore a museum object yourself. Discover how stone, clay and adobe were used in traditional construction. And get a glimpse into the skills of old master craftsmen. These are some of the experiences offered by the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv as part of the first edition of the “Festival of the Hills.”

“Revive the Past” is the common theme of the two workshops taking place on September 26 and 27 on the Three Hills. The idea is to bring cultural heritage to life—not simply to preserve it behind glass, but to experience it hands-on.

At the “World of Irons” exhibition at 20 Saborna Street, conservator Marin Bekirski will demonstrate how old and valuable objects are restored. Participants will learn about different materials and techniques and will then have the opportunity to try restoring a museum object themselves.

The workshop will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participation is free with admission to the exhibition. Advance registration is required for the practical session at +359 889 003 174.

At the Kuyumdzhioglu House at 2 Dr Stoyan Chomakov Street, the focus will shift to traditional construction methods. Demonstrations will showcase techniques using stone, clay and adobe—materials once used to build traditional Bulgarian homes.

The demonstrations are part of the “From Stone and Wood” project and will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An exhibition featuring photo panels of abandoned Bulgarian homes will also be presented in the museum’s main hall.

“The two initiatives focus on experiencing cultural heritage through direct participation. We want the knowledge and skills passed down through generations to be accessible both to Bulgarian audiences and to visitors to the city,” said Assoc. Prof. Angel Yankov, Director of the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv.

Admission to both initiatives is free with a ticket to the respective exhibition.