Visual Arts, Crafts & Music - Romania and Bulgaria - page 978

Pottery
One of Bulgaria's oldest crafts is pottery, and the most distinctive style is known as Troy-
anska kapka , literally translated as 'Troyan droplet', after its town of origin and the runny
patterns made by the paint on the glazed earthernware body. Developed in the 19th cen-
tury, it's still produced both for everyday domestic consumption and as souvenirs.
Everything from cooking pots, plates and jugs to vases, ashtrays and more decorative
items can be bought at market stalls, and from souvenir shops and independent work-
shops. Easily identifiable, the pottery comes in a few basic colours, including a lovely co-
balt blue, green, brown and yellow, and pieces are decorated with concentric circles, wavy
lines and teardrops.

Carpets
Bulgarian carpets and rugs were first made as early as the 9th century, but were most pop-
ular and creative during the Bulgarian National Revival period. Sadly, weaving is a dying
art, practised only by a dwindling band of elderly ladies who still work on handmade
looms in a few remote villages such as Chiprovtsi, Kotel and Koprivshtitsa.
Carpets and rugs made in the southern
Rodopi Mountains are thick, woollen and prac-
tical, while in western Bulgaria they're often
delicate, colourful and more decorative. The
carpet-making industry began in Chiprovtsi
around the late 17th century, with patterns
based mainly on geometric abstract shapes. The more popular designs featuring birds and
flowers, commonly seen in tourist shops today, were developed in the 19th century.

For news about the Sofia Boys' Choir, see
www.sofiaboyschoir.altpro.net .

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

» Bulgarian Folk Songs and Dances featuring Petko Radev and Petko Dachev
(2000) - a top-selling collection of traditional tunes
» Orthodox Chants (2004) by Orlin Anastassov and the Seven Saints Choir - sacred
sounds from the young opera star and the highly respected church vocal group
» Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares (2001) - haunting melodies from the ladies' choir
» Gadna Poroda (2011) by Azis - pop-folk performed by Bulgaria's biggest chalga
star