Crafts

Beekeeping is an ancient tradition in Bulgaria, found throughout the country. Historical evidence indicates that it existed even before the Bulgarian state's foundation in 681.

The Bulgarians demonstrated exceptional skills in various crafts that contributed to their culture and identity. One involved making amulets, small horns and clasps from bone.

The history of cartwrighting and ironwork in Bulgaria is closely linked to the manufacture of vehicles, mainly animal-drawn wagons, carts and light carts. To create sturdy, functional vehicles, Bulgarian cartwrights and ironworkers used a range of skills in carpentry, metal forging and woodcarving.

Confectionery making began in Gabrovo in the second half of the nineteenth century, when Gavril and Yonko, two local men who had returned from Bucharest, introduced the craft to the town. Previously, ice cream and Turkish delight had been imported from Romania and Constantinople, while Gabrovo's homemakers prepared fruit sweets at home.

Coppersmithing, known in Bulgarian as bakardzhiystvo or mednikarstvo, is an old Bulgarian craft whose history can be traced to the ancient Thracians. The Thracians are regarded as renowned masters of copperworking.

Throughout its history, Bulgarian decorative metalwork has been inseparably linked with handicrafts and the manufacture of various objects for everyday use. This craft is applied to making tools, household objects, ornaments and other items.

In the past, dyers' workshops stood near the rooms where gaytan, a braided woollen cord, was made. The workshops contained the various tools and equipment needed for production: a pishkyun, or shelf, where the gaytan was coiled; a cauldron over a hearth and another smaller cauldron; an open hearth with a crosswise iron rod for singeing; a ladle or gourd; copper buckets; wooden stirring implements; a wooden beater; and wooden poles for drying the cord.

Flax is the oldest fibre crop in the Bulgarian lands and played an important economic role as early as the First Bulgarian Empire. During that period, growing flax for textile production was of considerable importance.

Furriery is a craft concerned with working hides to create various leather and fur products, including clothing, footwear, accessories and other items. It has a long history and is an important part of traditional Bulgarian handcrafting.

Goat-hair weaving, known as mutafchiystvo, is a craft in which masters make various products from goat-hair yarn, including bags, sacks, saddlebags and rugs. By the mid-19th century, goat-hair weaving had reached a high level of development in Bulgaria.

Goldsmithing and jewellery making have a long and rich history in Bulgaria, combining technical skill and elegance throughout different historical periods. Long ago, the Thracian tribes inhabiting what is now Bulgaria made gold ornaments and jewellery.

Hunting and fishing are among the oldest crafts practised by humans since the dawn of time. These ancient activities were a principal means of survival from the emergence of the first communities.