From June 24 to June 30, 2024, the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv will host the 16th consecutive Week of Traditional Crafts.

The event has become a tradition in Plovdiv's cultural calendar and attracts a large number of visitors every year. The audience can watch and participate with the masters in the creation of various items such as felt, embroidery, weaving, candle making, basket making, and Easter egg decoration. You can shape a cup or plate from a piece of clay on the potter's wheel, see metal transformed under the hands of knife makers and blacksmiths, or enjoy the rich assortment of jewelers.

The Craft Week this year begins with Enyovden (June 24) – a highly respected day in folk tradition, associated with herbs and healing. We will make wreaths and sing songs with Enyo’s Bride.

The highlight of the Week will be the craft of felting. In this regard, a national exhibition "Bulgarian Felts – A Message from Antiquity" will be opened, featuring felt rugs from across the Bulgarian territory with the participation of six museum institutions. Our partner and ally for the annual Craft Week is the Regional Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeastern Europe – Sofia, under the auspices of UNESCO.

You can expect many pleasant surprises throughout the Craft Week. Welcome!

June 24, 2024 (Monday)
12:30 PM: Official opening of the 16th edition of the Week of Traditional Crafts at REM – Plovdiv.
Musical and dance performance by the "Iglika" Folk Dance Ensemble from the Center for Personal Development Support – ODK, Plovdiv.
Celebration of Enyovden – a highly revered day in folk tradition associated with herbs and healing. We will make wreaths and sing songs with Enyo's bride. Talk on the power of herbs by Maria Georgieva – master of natural healing creams.
6:00 PM: Opening of the national exhibition "Bulgarian Felts – Message from Antiquity."

June 25, 2024 (Tuesday)
11:00 AM: Demonstration of felting with ancient blessings "Dance of the Moth" by Istvan Vidak – renowned Hungarian felter and researcher-traveler.
Demonstration of spinning and felting using Bulgarian techniques by Svetlana Kamps.

June 26, 2024 (Wednesday)
11:00 AM: Felting demonstration by master Marieta Nedkova.
11:30 AM: Musical program by children from the "Maritsa" Ensemble at "St. Cyril and Methodius" High School, Plovdiv.

June 27, 2024 (Thursday)
11:00 AM: Felting demonstration by master Penka Stavreva.
11:30 AM: Musical program by children from the "Thracian Youth" Folk Ensemble at "Lyuben Karavelov" High School, Plovdiv.

June 28, 2024 (Friday)
11:00 AM: Felting demonstration by master Spaska Georgakeva.
11:30 AM: Musical and dance performance by the "Iglika" Folk Dance Ensemble from the Center for Personal Development Support – ODK, Plovdiv.

June 29, 2024 (Saturday)
11:00 AM: Felting demonstration by master Vanya Terzieva.
11:30 AM: Musical program.
12:00 PM: Celebration of Petrovden – treat guests with Petrovden chicken, bread with colorful salt, apples, and pears, and the dish "white man."
7:30 PM: Masters' evening – presentation of participation certificates and a brief overview of this year's "Week of Crafts," followed by a masters' dinner and entertainment.

During the Week of Traditional Crafts (June 24 – 30), the museum will have extended working hours every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.