The Architectural-Ethnographic Complex “Ether” turns 50

From September 5^th till 7^th the open air museum was the host of the 12^th International Fair of Traditional Crafts “Ether 2014”.

The Architectural-Ethnographic Complex “Ether” – Gabrovo is the first and only open-air museum in Bulgaria. It was opened on September 7^th, 1964. 50 sites are exhibited there, including water technical equipment, Renaissance houses with craftsman’s workshops, places of public importance.

The year 2014 passes under the sign of the semi centennial of the complex. In September a number of events will be organized there related to this anniversary, which will be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture.

From September 5^th till 7^th the 12^th edition of the International Fair of Traditional Crafts will be held in the Architectural-Ethnographic Complex “Ether” – Gabrovo. More than 50 craftsmen from the country and abroad have enrolled for participation in it so far and the registration continues. It is expected their number to be significantly greater than that in previous years. Among the crafts to be presented are pottery, coppersmith, cutlery, weaving, iconography and many others. Participants from Serbia, Romania, Turkey and Uganda will demonstrate to the audience in the Ether crafts which are traditional and typical for their countries, such as ceramics, jewelry making, etc.

For the first time this year the traditional Masters Competition will include international participants. For four days in the Pottery Competition they will compete for the grand prize “The Silver Cowbell”. On September 5^th, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. last year’s winner of the Woodwork Competition – Ivo Stoyanov from Gabrovo – will open his original exhibition- bazaar in the exhibition hall of AEC “Ether.”
Another important event is the 10^th Jubilee International Conference “Traditional Crafts – Past, Present and Future” with the participation of over 40 specialists from the country and abroad.
For the visitors are envisaged demonstrations of activities which are typical for the Central Balkan Region, such as plums baking, dyeing of woolen yarn with natural dyes, knitting of woolen decorations – braids and knitting with corn husks (maize leaves).

The numerous guests will be able to enjoy the rich three-day folklore program, which will be started on September 5^th at 12:00 a.m. sharp with the participation of the National Folklore Ensemble “Philip Koutev”, the “Rhodope” Folklore Ensemble from Smolyan and others.

Source: Bulgariatravel.orgDel 5 al 7 de septiembre en el museo al aire libre Etar ha tenido lugar la XII Feria Internacional de los Oficios Tradicionales Etar 2014