XVIII International Fair of Traditional Crafts

1—3 September 2023

The International Fair of Traditional Crafts at Etar Museum is the only fair in Bulgaria based on a museum concept. Its mission is to educate and guide, preserve handicraft traditions, promote and maintain the tangible and intangible cultural heritage. During the days of the event, craftspeople from the country and abroad meet, exchange practices and make new contacts, while visitors get the opportunity to experience traditions in a unique and inspiring way.

The latest (seventeenth) edition of the International Fair of Traditional Crafts was held in 2019. It was dedicated to the 55^th anniversary of Etar Museum and was a get-together of a kind of traditions from three continents! More than 70 expert craftspeople and freelance artists from 16 countries joined the fair.

In this European Year of Cultural Heritage, the fair is held under the patronage of Mrs. Tsveta Karayancheva, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. The fair's organizers are the Ministry of Culture, Municipaity of Gabrovo, Ethnographic Open Air Museum "Etar". The event is supported by a range of media outlets, chambers of crafts and travel agents.

More information about the current edition of the Fair will follow soon.

Programme highlights

International craftsmen's exhibition bazaar
International craftsman's competition in silversmith's trade
National youth competition in jeweller's skills
International scientific forum "Traditional Crafts: Contemporary Reflections"
Folklore programme
Exhibition "Crafts with Future" and photo exhibition "Croatian Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Lists of UNESCO"
Exhibition bazaar "Art zone"
Photographer's competition "Ethno Objective: Fair of Crafts"

Pottery, Sudan

International Fair of Traditional Crafts, 2017

Pottery, Bulgaria

Initiative "one day master", 2018

Stonemasonry demonstration, Bulgaria

International Fair of Traditional Crafts, 2017

National Folklore Ensemble Trakia, Plovdiv

Music and dance program, 2015

Weaving, Bulgaria

International Fair of Traditional Crafts, 2016

Pottery, Bulgaria

Exhibition-bazaar, 2015

Wood-carving, Bulgaria

Craftsman’s competition, 2015

Hand weaving—macrame technique, Netherlands

International Fair of Traditional Crafts, 2016

Basket weaving, Bulgaria

Recreation of home occupation, 2016

Group “Drums and bagpipes”, Bulgaria

Folklore program, 2016

“Tablet” weaving of belts, Bulgaria

International craftsman’s competition, 2016

The Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality—Tanya Hristova gives the award “The silver cowbell” to the winner Mariana Dimitrova (Plovdiv)

International craftman’s competition in “tablet” weaving of belts, 2016

“Revived weaving techniques”, author Stojna Krasstanova, Bulgaria

Visiting exhibition, 2016

Dance ensemble National Art (Sofia), instructor Neshka Robeva

Music and dance program, 2016

International fair of traditional crafts, 2016

International exhibition bazaar of crafts

Over the years, the Fair has welcomed expert craftspeople from Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Lithuania Latvia, Hungary, Kosovo, Serbia, Algeria, Iran, Romania, the Republic of South Africa, Azerbaijan, Germany, Belarus, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Sudan and Syria. In recent years, contemporary artists with their own perusa of traditions have also been featured at the event. For the first time in 2019, the Fair included representatives of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

International Craftsman's Competition

Since 2003, a key highlight in the program of the Fair has been the Craftsman Competition, which recreates the bets practiced during the period of the Bulgarian National Revival era, between masters of various crafts. The winner receives the Silver Bell Grand Prix, a cash bonus and the right to a solo exhibition at Etar Museum during the year that follows his or her win. Since 2017, there has been a Youth Section at the Craftsman Competition. The winner receives the Bronze Bell prize and a cash bonus.

Folklore program

Each edition of the Fair offers a diverse music and dance program. Professional and amateur groups from almost all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria perform to keep up the good mood of the guests of the event.