On 23 June, as part of the long-established Week of Traditional Crafts at the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv,

artisans, craftspeople, and numerous visitors gathered to celebrate the traditions, knowledge, and living cultural heritage of Bulgaria and Moldova. This year's edition of the forum placed a special focus on embroidery, which served as a symbolic cultural bridge between the two countries.

The official opening of the Week of Traditional Crafts took place at noon and, following an old Bulgarian tradition, began with a traditional folk dance (horo), accompanied by musicians Vladimir Vladimirov and Hristo Georgiev from the Prof. Asen Diamandiev Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by the Museum's Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Yankov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Emil Jacota, and the dean of Plovdiv's master craftsmen, Mr. Kiro Kolikov.

The special guests from Moldova — master embroiderers Ms. Kristina Dan and Ms. Natalia Nicolaescu from the "Bessarabian Gathering" Association — introduced visitors to the traditional Moldovan altiță blouse, an element of the region's intangible cultural heritage distinguished by its rich symbolism and exquisite craftsmanship. They demonstrated their skills and exchanged knowledge, techniques, and experience with Bulgarian embroiderers.

Later that evening, the exhibition "The Traditional Altiță Blouse in the Republic of Moldova" was officially opened, presenting the meaning of the ornaments, symbols, and messages woven into the traditional women's costume.

The programme continued with a fashion show by designer Ms. Olimpia Lupo, a gold medal winner at an international exhibition in Beijing dedicated to the contemporary continuation of traditional cultural heritage. She presented a collection of dresses inspired by Bulgarian embroidery and the symbolism of the Kanatitsa motif. Through these modern interpretations of traditional designs, the collection demonstrated how cultural heritage can remain relevant and inspiring in contemporary fashion.

Among the distinguished guests attending the evening exhibition opening were Mr. Plamen Panov, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv; the Honorary Consuls of Moldova in Plovdiv and Burgas, Mr. Veselin Chipev and Ms. Zhenya Atanasova; the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Plovdiv, Mr. Emre Manav, and Vice Consul Mr. Gülsevim Şeremet.

The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by performances from the Plovdiv-based group "Dobar Den" and the authentic folklore ensemble "Kuklitsi" from the Municipal Children's Complex – Plovdiv.

Held from 22 to 28 June 2026, the Week of Traditional Crafts at the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv featured craft demonstrations, meetings with master artisans, and a diverse programme of events, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the richness of Bulgarian traditional crafts and the cultural ties connecting different nations.

Photos courtesy of the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv. Pictured: Highlights from the event.