XIXth century. The costume is from the fund of Regional Historical Museum - Veliko Tarnovo. The costume dressed the beautiful girl Viktoria Mincheva. The costume was completed by Dr. Miglena Petkova, ethnographer, Deputy Director of RHM - Veliko Tarnovo.
The shirt is made of cotton hand-woven canvas and the cut is a “burchanka” type. The neckline, sleeves, bosom and skirt are embroidered with geometric ornaments of black and red woolen threads, typical for the embroideries in the central part of Northern Bulgaria.
The “peshtemal” is composed of two parts sewn together with green threads. The main colour is red, decorated with woven coloured geometric and linear ornaments. At the bottom are sewn lace, under it black lace, filigree, green embroidery with brocades and black velvet.
The apron is a woolen, “kroyanka” type, with one fabric and is hand-woven. The main background is black with yellow lamé threads. It is patterned throughout with multicolored floral ornaments, and roses framed with lamé have been added at the bottom. Framed with purple zigzag fabric strip, black velvet and lace.
The belt is wool, handwoven, double-faced, the main field is red, patterned with geometric ornaments in composition, in white and blue. An additional decoration to the belt is the shaping on both ends. One has a square piece with embroidery, the other has a fringe wrapped with multicolored threads.
The buckles are an integral part of a married woman's attire. It is believed that they possess apotropaic power, protecting against evil forces and bad looks. The presented buckles are made of the so-called a sechane alloy (30% silver combined with copper), palmetto-shaped. Their apotropaic function is enhanced by the relief image of a dragon in the middle of each of the buckles.
The socks are hand knitted from red wool yarn, with geometric ornaments in black, yellow, green.
The headscarf is silk, dark red. It is decorated at the three ends with brown lace, figures and beads sewn with blue cord.
You can learn more about the beautiful Victoria from her business card:
"I am Victoria. A girl with a childhood in Lyaskovo. From Veliko Tarnovo. I am named after my two grandmothers: Velichka and Veselka. Student at PLG “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov ", Veliko Tarnovo. I study Spanish and English. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable than dealing with children and art, such as theater. The truth is that I have always been interested in photography and modeling, just I have nothing to hide, I am excited about everything beautiful and most of all, which brings peace and harmony in my life.
My parents, grandparents have always raised me to respect Bulgarian, which of course includes traditions. I was born on Midsummer's Day and if anyone doesn't know, the legends about this day are many and most of all magical. Maybe this is one of the Bulgarian holidays that I feel the most. I will not hide - my favorite will always be passing under the gum with herbs.
I will never forget when I was little and going to the village with my grandparents. Morning, noon, evening ... Grandpa played folk music and we played with him. From my childhood I have memories of my grandmother's headscarf and how I wondered why she wears it. I do not flaunt that I have a strong connection with Bulgarian folklore, but I am breastfed with it and my love is strong enough to say that this special feeling continues to live in me for 18 years. I love my homeland very much. Veliko Tarnovo is a city with a centuries-old history, holidays, customs and a strong love for the homeland. With a fortress like Tsarevets, there is no way you can't be in love with your homeland. With the narrow old streets, with every corner steeped in history, it is practically impossible to love another city more. What do you like most about your homeland? Oh I don't know, maybe the right answer is simple: everything. How does it feel to wear a costume over 100 years old? Well, anxious, I felt the responsibility to protect her and the strong worry that something might happen to her, but I liked it. I didn't have to swallow my belly to look good in the photos or straighten my hair in two minutes. With the 100-year-old costume, I felt comfortable enough to dream of a beautiful future in which the costume is my everyday attire. If I had the opportunity, I would love the costume every day.
Bulgaria is a home full of history and character, which make me proud to be Bulgarian. " Photographer: Petar Petrov
Тhe Live Roots of Bulgaria Foundation would like to thank Olcom Ltd. MoiataKozmetika.com as well as the digital agency Bogara Ltd. for the support in publishing this calendar!
