From July 1st to 6th, the Regional Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv came alive during the 17th edition of the Week of Traditional Crafts. The event gathered 40 skilled Bulgarian artisans, who demonstrated a wide variety of crafts—pottery, blacksmithing, woodcarving, weaving, knife-making, basketry, and more. Under the guidance of experienced masters, many visitors had the chance to create their own handcrafted items.

This year’s theme, “The Symbol”, highlighted the symbolic language used in traditional crafts to convey messages of health, prosperity, love, and protection—an important form of cultural memory in the past.

The event welcomed representatives from UNESCO and patent offices across the European Union, who expressed admiration for the craftsmanship and creativity of the Bulgarian artisans. Olya Dimitrova, Chair of the Bulgarian Patent Office, announced that starting December 1st, a new EU-wide system will come into force, allowing the registration of geographical indications for artisanal and industrial products. This initiative will help protect and promote traditional crafts across Europe.

Amelia Gesheva, advisor to the Minister of Tourism, emphasized the importance of the Week of Traditional Crafts as a key effort to preserve and promote Bulgaria’s cultural heritage, stating that the topic is a priority for the ministry.