In recent decades people in Bulgaria are beginning to freely express themselves more and more, trying not to imitate others, but to present themselves with their unique traits and qualities. It is true that at first they perceive differences with a little distrust, but gradually people get used to the fact that we cannot all be the same, and when we start to perceive ourselves as who we are, our life in itself becomes more peaceful and full of more positive communication.

As part of the manifestation of youth's pursuit of freedom and self-expression, the Bogodom initiative was born, bringing together a group of talented artists in the field of arts and crafts. They have set themselves the general goal of improving the aesthetic taste and expanding the cultural outlook of more young Bulgarians. They will achieve all this with the help of crafts, in which they themselves have visible results as masters.

The first initiative of the young enthusiasts is on November 15 and 16 in the center of Sofia. The place is called “Malkite 5” co-working space and the first craftsmen who meet with the audience are the master bookbinder Kalin Daskalov, better known by his nickname Stopan, and Elizaveta Angelova, who has mastered the subtleties of calligraphy to perfection. Subsequently, they and other masters will not only demonstrate their skills, but will also familiarize the public with the administrative framework in Bulgaria, which everyone who has decided to choose this craft as their profession should know. When everything is explained by experienced people and in an accessible language, the number of those wishing to embark on the untrodden paths of this craftsmanship are likely to increase.

“We want not just to spot a craft, but to pay attention to the level of skills that our craftsmen have acquired. We believe that we will strive to achieve the highest quality and show the best that is being done in Bulgaria,” says Milko Dyulgerov, founder of the Youth Crafts Platform in Bulgaria:

“Our team is made up of people from different professions, not just craftsmen. In fact, we are basically trying to help the creators organizationally and through a series of administrative activities so that they can have more time to work in their studio. The purpose of the platform is to promote and distribute all kinds of crafts in our country. We all know that Bulgaria has a rich heritage of crafts, some of which are now considered obsolete because of the fact that no one practices them. The truth is, however, that the audience is unaware of the crafts and craftsmen, and even the places where they exhibit their works are not sufficiently familiar. Our main task is to make the work of these people more prestigious and better appreciated.”

Culture is formed by the accumulated knowledge that broadens the worldview of man, says Milko Dyulgerov. He even likens the knowledge of crafts to the ability of a person to master foreign languages. “For example, if a person knows different languages, he or she can travel around the world and can communicate freely with many people. When you understand a craft, it's like communicating in a language spoken by a group of people. So through crafts one can learn new things, develop and accumulate knowledge”.

“Regarding calligraphy – I'm not sure if this art has been highly developed in Bulgaria. It seems to me that in the recent past there were requirements for beautiful handwriting and this was part of the training of people and a source of self-respect. Just as we take care to look good, our handwriting is an element of how people perceive us. That is why the previous generations put a lot of effort in the handwriting of their letters. Luckily, in our organization we have a person with experience in this art. This is Elizaveta Angelova and she will show something simple - writing with a brush, but it also takes a very long time to practice. We also have support from various organizations that like the idea. We will develop calligraphy into a training course that deepens knowledge.”

Photos: @iostopan, Written by Ellie and Gergana Mancheva