Photography and Customs & Traditions – Bulgaria

With the aim of portraying the essence of local crafts tradition, Gabrovo promotes the project "Crafted by Hand. Photo Diary”.

Crafted by Hand shines a spotlight on master craftspeople who are considered “living human treasures”, as they practise very rare high-level crafts, exercised by no more than ten craftworkers.

Using the format of a photo diary with supplemented texts for each master and his craft, visual artist Rosina Pencheva presents six documentary photo series with the aim of raising awareness of the need for the protection of local traditional crafts and artisans. The photographs capture the face behind the craft, the environment at work, the specific tools, the creative process and some of their finished works.

The selection has resulted in an assortment of different ages and educational backgrounds, including a dry stone waller, a master coppersmith, a master goat hair worker, a master tobacco-pipe maker, an artist bookbinder, and a master luthier. All the masters participating in the project meet the criteria of authenticity, competence, artisanship and talent, and are willing to teach their techniques.

The result of the project is presented online to reach a broad audience. In addition, it is included in the archives of the Etar Museum in Gabrovo, which is one of the project's partners.

Go on an online photo tour by clicking HERE

Enjoy!

Sources: https://rosinapencheva.com/crafted-by-hand-about-the-project, https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/events/crafted-hand-photo-diary-project-preserving-crafts-tradition-gabrovo

Photographs taken from: https://rosinapencheva.com/crafted-by-hand-about-the-project

All Photographs: © Rosina Pencheva

Photograph No 2: Georgi Todorov-Getz, master tobacco-pipe maker │© Rosina Pencheva

Photograph No 3: Stopan, master bookbinder │© Rosina Pencheva

#ICBSS #MoC2023 #CultureBSEC #Bulgaria #Photography #Customs&Traditions