site.btaMajor Crafts Fair Starts in Oreshak

The Traditional Crafts Fair in the northern village of Oreshak, near Troyan, opens on Thursday to bring together master craftsmen and traders from across Bulgaria from August 13 to 16, the municipal administration said. The event is organized by Troyan Municipality, the Oreshak village mayor's office and the National Exhibition of Arts and Crafts in Oreshak.

The Oreshak Crafts Fair is one of the largest events of its kind in northern Bulgaria. Its origins date back to the second half of the 18th century, when craftsmen from across the country would display their products outside the walls of Troyan Monastery during its patron saint's feast on August 15, the organizers said.

A total of 154 applications have been submitted for participation in this year's fair, Silva Kapounova, chief expert at the local administration, told BTA. Of these, 86 were submitted by master craftsmen and 68 by traders. Some participants will also demonstrate traditional crafts and techniques, including candle and soap making, decorating ceramic vessels and others.

There will be three main areas: the Crafts Street, a trading area and an entertainment zone for children. The children's attractions will be set up in the open-air areas of the National Exhibition of Arts and Crafts, while the crafts area and stalls selling household and traditional items will be located in the village itself.

Last year, nearly 130 craftsmen and traders from across the country applied to participate in the event.

The first edition of Zhar, a knife-making and blacksmithing festival, will also take place there on August 14 and 15. The programme includes demonstrations, exhibitions, a children's metal engraving workshop and rock concerts.

Temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced on the road to the Troyan Monastery from August 13 to 16.

The fair ground will be off limits for vehicles during the festival.

An order issued by Troyan Mayor Donka Mihaylova has also banned the use of drones during the procession and the patron saint's feast at the Troyan Monastery on August 15.