Еxhibitions

The exhibition is interactive and presents the style Bulgarian Modern as an expression of Art Nouveau art in our country. In the period between the two World Wars, there were many everyday objects united by the "Bulgarian Style" in their decoration, which included home furnishings and clothing.

The formulation "Bulgarian Style" describes and designates the phenomenon of Art Nouveau in Bulgaria from the position of the Bulgarian cultural context. Situated in a broader space, the phenomenon can be defined as Bulgarian Modern – an expression of  national artistic thinking through the forms of modern art, woven together folklore and elements of the Byzantine and the Bulgarian Middle Ages as an ethnic tradition.

In the period between the two World Wars, the ethnographic objects were alreadyin the museums, and that’s why they were considered ascultural heritage from which elements, themes, motifs could be taken to be woven into the modern times. The affirmation of the phenomenon in the urban socio-cultural environment led to the appearance of other forms of it – furnishing of a definite room in “national style”.

The organization of trainings in the style Bulgarian Modern , as well as the opportunity to purchase ready-made products from the vocational schools – fabrics, furniture, pyrographed objects, has created the most direct path to the formation of the consumer taste.

The collected collection of the Rousse Museum is the most complete in our country and it presents the variants of the style through objects, fabrics, clothing and furniture, decorated with various forms of interlaced designs and stylized ethnographic ornaments.

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 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.

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.