site.btaApril 1, 1972: House of Humour and Satire Established in Gabrovo

The House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo was opened on April 1, 1972. Its first director was Stefan Furtounov (1926-2010), a lawyer and a collector of Gabrovo anecdotes. The cultural institution moved to its current building three years later after an old tannery was reconstructed to serve this purpose.

The House of Humour and Satire became a modern and unique cultural centre built under the motto "The world survived because it laughed". Through the years the House has hosted festivals, joke battles, experimental variety theater performances, it has published humorous collections.

On April 1, 1976, a small planet with the number 2206 was named after Gabrovo in honour of the folk humour that made the town famous around the world.

On October 19, 2006, the national cultural institution was transformed into a Museum of Humour and Satire.

Typical Gabrovo humour portrays local residents as absurdly stingy. Here are some Gabrovo anecdotes selected by Furtounov and Gabrovo journalist Peter Prodanov and published by Sofia Press in 1978: 

Among Gabrovonians: 

- Where is your wedding ring?
- My wife is wearing it this week.

Three friends entered a restaurant. Two of them went to wash their hands. Meanwhile the third, who was from Gabrovo, quickly got the menu and crossed out the more expensive dishes. 

When the proprietor stared at him in amazement, he justified himself with the words: "I'm the one who'll pay the bill, after all."

- Grand-dad, have you got any teeth?
- No, my boy.
- Then just hold my piece of bread while I play with Peter in the yard.

A Gabrovonian got off the train and asked a cabman:
- How much do you charge to the city centre?
- BGN 2. Jump in!
- No, thanks. I am only asking to find out how much I'm saving.

A Gabrovonian needed a bottle. He found one, but it contained a drop of iodine. Unwilling to waste it, he cut his finger, used the medicine, and then used the bottle. 

People made fun of a Gabrovonian because so many jokes are told at his townfolk's expense. "That's right," he answered. "Stories are only told about famous people."