A Bulgarian souvenir
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The souvenirs from different parts of Bulgaria tell their own stories. They usually depict the characteristic symbol of a given city or place. The local people have used their creative imagination to turn the object into a beautiful piece of art. This can be an elaborately embroidered hand-woven shirt, the chimes of the copper sheep bells or even the colorful shells and stones from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, gathered while enjoying the warmth of the sunrays. In Sofia most popular with tourists is the arts and crafts market around the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Here you can find all kinds of typical Bulgarian souvenir items. Embroidered table cloths, jewellery, lace, handmade toys, ceramics, wooden items, imitation icons and paintings, as well as so called antiques. There are also plenty of serious Antique shops around which may hide a treasure or two. Never pay more than what it is worth to you, and check whether you require an export certificate when buying genuine antiques. Our recommendations for souvenirs include: Bulgarian wine and rakia (the schnapps) sealed in ceramic urns, Bulgarian carpets, icons and also some of the famous Troyan pottery especially the earthenware casserole dishes, which make great inexpensive oven to table wear. Again in Sofia the cobbled and tree lined “Czar Ivan Assen II ”street runs from Orlov most (Eagles’ Bridge) up to Sitnyakovo str. and the Rumanian Embassy and is very much an artery for the surrounding residential area. There are plenty of boutiques, small cafes, food outlets, cosmetics and household product shops along its stretch to make it worth a wander. Unfortunately the traffic along this street is totally frustrating with people parking on both sides of the street leaving little space for the two-way traffic. However, one can usually manage to find a parking space somewhere nearby albeit in one of the side streets. Going to Plovdiv, in the very center one will find the souvenir shop of Evgeni Todorov and his wife Vessela. Here every item has preserved and tends to represent part of the atmosphere of the city, which you can easily carry home with you. Here is what Mr. Todorov says about the people who visit his shop: “I take it as a great compliment when people come to the shop several times during their visit to Plovdiv. This means that I have managed to accomplish what I had in mind: to offer something tempting, which every one will gladly take home. I am even happier when people, who have bought something several years ago, never fail to visit us again during subsequent comings to Bulgaria. We have had customers from almost all over the world,” says Mr. Evgeni Todorov. As of last year the Todorovs have turned the second storey of the house into an art gallery. Many young artists show their work there and they are frequently bought by visiting tourists. Almost anyone will find something to his or her taste. Before establishing themselves in Plovdiv Evgeni and Vessela Todorov used to travel around the country to offer the souvenirs. Now they are happy to live among the beautiful objects, each of them offering a part of charming Bulgaria. Source: www.east.travel |
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