site.btaMedven Hosts Carpet Exhibition September 4-7
An open-air exhibition entitled "100 Carpets from the Kotlen Region" is taking place in Medven between September 4 and 7. Contrary to its name, the exhibition presents nearly 200 carpets from Petya Yaneva's collection.
Also on site are students from the Dimitar Dobrovich National Art High School in Sliven, Southeastern Bulgaria, who are demonstrating to visitors how to weave on a vertical loom. This way, visitors can experience the process of creating a carpet.
The exhibition curator Dora Kurshumova told BTA: "The '100 Carpets' event features 200 rugs, and visitors can truly see them, learn their stories, and – through eight lectures – discover just how much Kotlen carpets have to tell: about the rituals woven into them, about the artists who created the designs, and about the history and development of the Kotlen carpet-weaving school itself."
Kurshumova pointed to diversity as one of the greatest treasures of the Kotlen tradition. She added: "Why is there such diversity, which is found nowhere else in Bulgaria? Why are the old Kotlen carpets so different, so beautiful, and why are no two alike? And why are we insisting that this tradition be included in the UNESCO list? Because the carpet deserves worldwide fame."
The curator warned of a potential future 10 years from now when nobody would have the ability to weave on a vertical loom. She added: "The sooner we realize [this could happen], the better we could preserve this treasure."
Kurshumova praised the exhibition for the way the carpets were set up, as some of them were placed on the ground and the surrounding buildings, which turns the place into "a wonderful arena for photographs".
The exhibition combines a display of valuable pieces from the Kotlen School with demonstrations, lectures, and an opportunity for visitors to experience traditional weaving techniques firsthand.
/NZ/
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