Еxhibitions

The display presents the specificities of the men's clothing from the region of the Central Balkan Mountains from the 19th c. and its development till the middle of the 20th c. – the transition from the traditional national costume to the modern suit.

In room 1 - a traditional men’s national costume and its parts, made of home woven natural materials and leather, is at display. Unlike the formal clothes, the everyday ones are with simple decoration of embroidery and braid.

From the middle of the 19th c. the more well-to-do and the Bulgarians who studied abroad brought along the fashion of the suit. The most visible was the replacement of the full-bottomed, tight –legged breeches “poturi” with trousers, sewed first from homemade and later on from fabric cloth.
After the Liberation (1878), uniforms for civil servants, military men and students were introduced in Bulgaria. The underclothes and accessories – neckties and pins for them, belts, gloves came into view in the men’s wardrobe. The watches with chains, the canes and umbrellas added perfection to the men’s clothing. Shoes and hats in various colours and patterns replaced the fur caps and sandals.

The urban clothing was in conformity with the occasion it was used – everyday and work cloths, and for spare time. The formal events required observance of a particular etiquette regarding the suit. The clothes are a distinguishing mark of the social status, personality and the style of a man. The outer garment and underclothes, the classical and modern clothes, the sporting outfit and uniform or professional one, the clothing became a basis for a whole industry – from the making of the cloth to the realization of the ready product. They took examinations for mastership and opened their own dressmaking and tailoring shops for cutting out and sewing, equipped with modern for the time sewing machines, charcoal or electric irons and window-dolls. The cloths were manufactured in conformity with the novelties in the clothing and the fashion magazines.

Interactive activities are offered in the display – setting in order of modules with different suits, video clips and games.

This exhibition features part of the private collection of Rumyana Mehandova who, for more than 40 years, has collected and preserved items from Bulgaria’s impressive tangible cultural heritage. It presents authentic women's folk costumes from the three main types of traditional apparel according to the outer garments: the two-apron, tunic and sayа types. Their elements and cuts display various specifics: region of origin, age to wear, marital status, social status and individual approach to tradition. Lovely jewellery enhances the impact of costumes.

The rich colour scheme of embroidered and woven geometric, vegetal and animal motifs on aprons, cushions and festive mesals (long cloths for bread making) captivates the senses and reveals the flair, dexterity and imagination of Bulgarian women.

The exhibition also presents clay pots and wooden flasks that come as a surprise with appealing shapes and exquisite decoration. They are suggestive of the skills and ingenuity of master artisans. The ethnographic world of Rumyana Mehandova has its place in the Bulgarian cultural treasury. Colourful and diverse, collected with skill and love, this collection is a powerful memory of times gone by.

This exhibition dedicated to the anniversary of the museum displays a selection of objects related to its history – the furnishing of the first office, the silver bell given to the winner in the craftsman competition, and prizes that the museum has been awarded over the years.

Personal effects of people with interesting lives and works of artisans who have left an inspiring legacy are on show as well.

This exhibition with objects and documents presents the project Historical Stone Bridges in the Rhodope Mountains – Modern Methods of Presentation and Conservation. The project is the work of Meshtra Association – Traditional Knowledge and Crafts, in partnership with the Municipality of Ardino, Museum of History Ardino and the Regional Museum of History Kardzhali, and has been implemented with the financial support of the National Culture Fund. Field photography is by Rosina Pencheva. Stone bridges have existed since antiquity and their constructive principles have massively improved over centuries. Prior to the era of the industrial revolution, they were the best means of crossing challenging terrains and rivers.
Although the principles of construction are similar, different cultures and different natural givens have resulted in the emergence of unique local building traditions.
The study explores examples confined to the periods of the Late Middle Ages (Ottoman period) and the National Revival era in the Bulgarian lands.

Let us cross the threshold of this hectic world, set ajar the door to the past and peer into the lifestyle and spirit of Bulgarian women of olden times...

This exhibition presents a different outlook on the female image from two centuries ago. In it the woman is cast in a variety of social roles – maiden, daughter-in-law, mother. Her status is visualized by the headgear – daily and festive. The highlight of the display is the sokai headwear characteristic of Gabrovo. This accessory is impressive with its beauty, and wearing it signifies a turning point in the life of the bride. After the removal of the bridal headpiece, the tough responsibility of being a wife, daughter-in-law and mother is laid on the young woman’s fragile shoulders.

The life of Bulgarian women in bygone times is illustrated by means of 30 items of movable cultural heritage and objects from the archives of the Etar Museum.

Generations of artisans have created and developed traditions in various crafts involving the use of wood, metal, wool, fur, clay and other materials. Bulgarians are able and hardworking artisans; their skills and craftsmanship used to be a hallmark of their reputation in society. Depending on the economic development and lifestyles, some crafts have gained resilience, others have declined, and still others are no longer practiced. Today, some of them are declared to be on the verge of extinction. The exhibition features two specific crafts in the Bulgarian traditional culture: pack saddle making, a craft at risk, and scale making – a craft which is part of the cultural heritage.

The display presents 36 items of movable cultural heritage from the archives of the Etar Museum. It is part of a project implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture.