Exhibitions
2021
The Live Roots of Bulgaria Foundation gives new life to costumes from old Mekhomiya
In July 2021 in the Historical museum in the town of Razlog in front of the cultural community and guests of the town of Razlog and the region, as well as admirers of traditional Bulgarian culture was presented the project "Study of the specifics and richness of national costumes from the Razlog region in the light of cultural diversity", organized by the National Culture Fund under the Ministry of Culture and won by The Live Roots of Bulgaria Foundation in 2020.
Simultaneously with the presentation of the project, a mobile exhibition will be launched and will present in life-size all the costumes digitized within the project. After its presentation in the town of Razlog, the exhibition entitled Cultural Diversity of National Costumes from Razlog will tour a number of museums across the country. A presentation of the exhibition in North Macedonia and Romania is also planned. The visit is planned to take place together with local ensembles and aims to promote local traditional and cultural elements as well as typical local folklore.
2021
Photographic exhibition "LIVING HERITAGE" in Plovdiv
The photographic exhibition "LIVING HERITAGE" of The Live Roots of Bulgaria Foundation will be on display in the garden of the Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv from September 1 to 30, 2021.
The exhibition is organized with the kind support of ECONT OOD. It presents large scale photographs of a wonderful collection of traditional costumes from different regions of Bulgaria. Most of them were crafted more than a century ago and can only be seen in the museum. Each costume tells its own story…
The exhibition is part of the initiative “European Heritage Days” held in Plovdiv meanwhile.
2021
"The Magical Embroidery from Razlog - Zapeska" a guest exhibition
On September 16, 2021 at Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv was opened the guest exhibition "The Magical Embroidery from Razlog - Zapeska" by History Museum - Razlog.
It presents a selection of the most valuable and beautiful embroideries, embroidered to decorate women’s traditional shirts (koshuli) and costumes from the Razlog region. Organizing the collection is an ongoing process whose main goal is to showcase the old techniques and the colour palettes used by women from Razlog.
The exhibition is richly illustrated by panels with photographs of costumes taken by The Live Roots of Bulgaria Foundation and complemented by exhibits from the museum's collection - men's and women's traditional clothing, embroideries and products of the Razlog masters potters.
2019
The children of Bulgaria sing and dance in Ohrid
In 2019, the team of the Living Bulgarian Roots Foundation visited and covered the festival "Children of Bulgaria Sing and Dance in Ohrid". The festival is the only tribune for young talents under 18. from Bulgaria to our western neighbor and probably the only event allowing a meeting of young people involved in folklore and dance on both sides. According to the organizers, the publication opens the way for mutual work in the field of international cultural relations and not only in the field of folklore. It is held under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Ekaterina Zaharieva. It is organized by the ART Vivendi Cultural Society - Northern Macedonia, the New Bulgarian University and the Bulgarian-Macedonian Friendship Association with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Northern Macedonia. During the three days of the festival, the Foundation presented to the cultural community, guests, tourists and visitors of Ohrid the exhibition "The present meets the past". The exhibition consisted of 40 panels with a size of 100 x 70 cm. These photo panels showed some of the most beautiful traditional Bulgarian costumes from the last 200 years.
2020
Girl, beautiful Girl
A joint exhibition realized with the Municipality of Plovdiv and the Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv in early March 2020. The exhibition was presented outdoors in the central city garden and showed 26 panels measuring 2.40 x 1.50 m. Series of photographs "GIRL, MARY IS BEAUTIFUL ”. The exhibition was dedicated to the timeless beauty of the traditional Bulgarian costume from the XIX and the beginning of the XX century, entirely handmade by the Bulgarian woman in the past. Through its fabric, color, cut and decoration, the clothing once showed the ethnicity, place of residence, gender, age, marital status, occupation, social affiliation and religion of the wearer.
From the beginning of the 20th century, with the disintegration of the traditional way of life, the old costumes of the Bulgarians gradually became obsolete, until finally they were completely forgotten. Today they can be seen "live" only in museums or on the stage of major folk festivals and festivals.
With the photographs in the exhibition, we show that the beauty of the Bulgarian costumes, overflowing with colors rich in embroidery and tinsel, is timeless and relevant even now. Taken from the funds of the Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv and other museums in the country, the costumes of that time "come to life" in the shots through young Bulgarian girls, whose clothes fit as well as their grandmothers. The photos show the magic of the Bulgarian and the pride with which the Bulgarian carries the incredible combination of colors and dyes - a creation that came out of the hands of her predecessors.
The costume for the Bulgarian has never been only a garment, it is not only a thing and a symbol, it is sacred, like the home altar, the hearth, the earth, the bread and the faith. The project for a photo session of old authentic costumes is our support for preserving the Bulgarian roots, for preserving and transmitting the traditions and Bulgarian folklore to the young generation.
2020
The women of Razlog
Joint exhibition with Razlog Municipality and Razlog Historical Museum - WOMEN OF RAZLOG. The current exhibition, presented by 56 panels, was supposed to start on March 8, 2020, but given the situation in the country, it was postponed and realized from May 1, 2020. At present, it is still active and can be visited freely in the park in front of the Historical Museum in Razlog.
Razlog Municipality wrote on the occasion of the exhibition:
"The magical beauty of the Razlog woman appeared in a permanent photo exhibition in front of the Razlog Museum
Razlozhanka as a mystery, as a universe - in the traditional holiday - with a beautiful costume and a proud posture has inspired "Bulgarian Roots" for an exhibition of contemporary beauty of the Bulgarian woman.
56 works by photographer Petar Petrov, positioned in the park of Razlog, touch the magic and charm of little girls and brides, children and grandmothers - all in national costumes, inspired by the ancient and timeless tradition.
Light shines from the photos.
The razlozhanka shines - as a mother and protector, as a lover, born to give and inspire love ...
As a heiress of great Bulgarian women and traditions.
The mother, the creator of life, shines, because the sons and daughters of Razlog are her care and responsibility, her strength and weakness, her hope and faith.
The famous Razlog grandmother is shining - in a beautiful costume, she has put her newborn grandson in a colorful strainer - and in a costume. She hugged the young bride - to pass on this incredible, strong Bulgarian energy - from the past - to the future.
The exhibition is a harmony and unity of the external beauty of the Razlozhanka and her great moral virtues.
This exhibition awakens a longing for joy and happiness.
56 art photographs shine in a joint exhibition organized by Razlog Municipality, Razlog Historical Museum, Bulgarian Roots - Bulgaria!
The photos are from the modern holidays of Razlog, deeply connected and preserved the tradition.
56 works enchant with radiant and spirited faces.
Grandmothers, mothers, brides and children, festively dressed and adorned with wrists for health - beautiful, proud and happy. Generations great and proud heirs of the Razlog tradition.
They are united by love.
And hearts - with small bells and colorful smokes - to know! - the beauty of Razlog shines. "
