We had a lot of fun introducing the Bulgarian cuisineas part of @ErmesT ’s challenge “Double the fun - Showcase your country - #TeamChallenge on LocalGuidesConnect.” This time, we’d like to share with you more about the Bulgarian culture and traditional crafts.
Traditional horo dance
@PoliMC says: “The Bulgarian national dance is called horo. When dancing it, people hold hands and form a big circle. There are many different steps and hand movements depending on the type of horo and its region of origin. We have six ethnographic regions: two north from the Balkan Mountains and four to the south.
The easiest dance is called pravo horo, meaning ‘straight horo,’ because it consists of four simple steps, done in a straight line. There is also a special horo called Dunavsko (Danubian) which we dance when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s very common to see Bulgarian people dancing horo at weddings, birthday parties, and other kinds of celebrations where the family is gathered together. In every Bulgarian town you’ll find a *horoteka—*a place where only traditional music is played for people to dance horo—or a traditional restaurant called mehana where you can dance between meals.
If you want to learn horo, you can go to a folklore dancing club like Dance school “Sredets”. There you can also learn various choreographies which are not performed in a circle, but in different formations, with people holding hands or each other’s belts and dancing next to one another.”
Traditional attire
@IrrPavlova shares: “One of the most symbolic aspects of Bulgarian folklore is demonstrated in our traditional attire, callednosiya. Every detail and piece of embroidery is carefully stitched together by hand and tells a story of the person wearing the clothes, the region they’re from, and that region’s natural characteristics. Tradition has it that the more colorful a woman’s dress and the heavier her necklace were, the richer her family was, too.
Today, Bulgarians rarely wear nosiya; it’s mostly reserved for folklore dancers, members of folklore clubs, or couples who wish to have a traditional wedding or big family celebration.
One of the best places to see nosiya is the National Ethnology Museum. The authentic exhibits will make you feel like you’re stepping into a different era.”
Troyan ceramics
@TsekoV continues: “Pottery and ceramic art are among the oldest Bulgarian crafts, with Troyan ceramics taking a central position. These pottey goods are famous for their diverse patterns and shapes and the craftsmanship needed to create them. Troyan ceramics are usually brightly colored and decorated with folklore and natural elements.
You can find these distinctive pots, bowls, and cups almost everywhere, but especially in the town of Troyan and Ethno village Etar, where a lot of traditional Bulgarian crafts are preserved. They make for great souvenirs as they not only convey the spirit of Bulgaria, but are practical as well!”
Rug weaving
@KatyaL adds: “The tradition of rug weaving is preserved in many places in Bulgaria. One of them is a small mountain town calledKotel. My grandmother was born there and she learned the craft from her mother. There’s a weaving loom in her home in Kotel, where I always sit and watch with huge interest how she weaves carpets and rugs. She has a big loom and uses different colors of yarn to create beautiful designs.
Each region has its own special rug motifs that characterize it and reflect its nature and folklore. If you’re interested in learning more about rug weaving, you can visit the Exposition of old Kotel Carpets which is part of the Ethnographic Museum in Kotel.”
Do you have similar traditional dances or crafts in your country? What does your national attire look like? Share your photos in the comments below.
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