Tryavna revives the legendary woodcarvers’ bet

Until May 6, the mountain town of Tryavna in central Bulgaria becomes a stage for living tradition during the “Days of Woodcarving”. The event revives one of the most emblematic practices of the local art school—the woodcarvers’ bet, inspired by a historic contest from 1808 at Daskalova House Museum, a site of symbolic importance for Bulgarian woodcarving. At the time, two woodcarver masters created the famous carved ceilings with sun motifs, now regarded as a pinnacle of Bulgarian decorative art.

Today, the tradition continues in a contemporary format, as established woodcarvers from Bulgaria and abroad work live in front of an audience, creating new wooden works. Visitors can follow the entire process—from the first chisel stroke to the finished detail—in the square in front of the “P. Slaveykov 1871” community centre.

A jury will evaluate the works, and the winner will be honoured according to an old tradition—with the symbolic tying of a sash, a sign of recognised mastery. The finished artworks will remain on open-air display in the town throughout the summer, forming a visual narrative that brings together woodcarvers of different generations and nationalities, working to preserve and develop the artistic tradition.

The programme also features exhibitions, concerts and demonstrations. On May 6, when one of Bulgaria’s most beloved holidays, St. George’s Day, is celebrated—marking the beginning of summer and the new agricultural year—Tryavna will host one of the most impressive events of its cultural calendar: a ceremonial procession of master woodcarvers carrying the icon of St. George, accompanied by bagpipers from folklore schools. The event brings together different generations around the idea of preserving and developing craft traditions.

Edited by Elena Karkalanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov