site.bta"Found Memory" Exhibition to Showcase Forgotten Knife-Making Tradition in the Rhodope Village of Smilyan

An exhibition titled "Found Memory" will present the forgotten tradition of knife-making in the Rhodope village of Smilyan, announced the "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" Community Center. The exhibition will open on September 12 in the village, popularly known as the "bean capital" of Bulgaria. 

In the 19th century, Smilyan was renowned for its knife-makers who crafted what would nowadays be considered luxury knives—used as gifts and as part of the festive attire of local Rhodope people, explained Iliya Godev, the community center's secretary. These special Smilyan knives were considered masterworks and differed in craftsmanship from the everyday utility blades. Various sources recount the rich tradition of knife-making in Smilyan.

The exhibition will feature posters with photos of Smilyan’s famous knives, along with a few preserved blades and bone handles, all crafted by local masters. Unfortunately, the knife-making tradition has not survived in the village to this day. During the first half of the 20th century, the craft gradually faded, with blacksmiths shifting their focus to other types of metalwork.

Examples of Smilyan knives are preserved in the collection of the Regional Historical Museum in Smolyan, Godev noted.

The exhibition "Found Memory" is part of the project "Memory of Smilyan", funded by the Municipal Tourism Development Fund in Smolyan, in partnership with the Agora platform and the local community center. The project is being implemented by Smilyan town hall.