Kilim is a traditional hand-woven carpet from north-eastern Bulgaria made by women in Chiprovtsi's women. The handmade flatwoven kilim rugs have two identical sides and they are part of the Bulgarian national heritage, traditions, arts, and crafts.
The name "Chiprovtsi kilim" is derived from the town where their production began in the 17th century. Many of the households in the town have a vertical handloom, which the women use to weave two-sided tapestries.
The weaving is done with the left hand, weaving the weft yarn into the warp, the weaver uses a small beater to tighten the weave. Men typically work in wool production, processing, and dyeing. Naturally dyed yarn can give soft pastel carpet hues, while chemical dye produces brighter shades.
Weaving carpets go hand in hand with religion, verbal formulas, and traditional practices. Weavers say prayers and make wishes for success before working on a new carpet, and sing and tell stories while they work.
Finished carpets are known for their composition, ornamental patterns, and color. The traditional colors of the carpets are yellow, brown, red, blue, and green. The first carpets were only two colors – red and black. They were made of natural materials like cotton and wool. Their thickness is between three and five millimeters. These carpets were traditionally produced during the Bulgarian National Revival.
Transmission of the practice occurs informally between mothers and grandmothers to daughters, often as they weave together on a large carpet. In addition to the various forms of ornamentation that are prominent within the community, the carpet weaving itself is used as part of the town's coat of arms.
At exhibitions in London, Paris, Liège, and Brussels, the local Chiprovtsi carpets have been prized. But, in recent decades, the Chiprovtsi carpet industry has been in decline, as their foreign markets have lost interest. This has resulted in a demographic crisis for the town and its municipality.
While part of a broader Balkan kilim tradition, the Chiprovtsi carpets are part of a unique local tradition. The Chiprovtsi carpets are associated specifically with the historic Pirot carpets found in Eastern Serbia and Western Bulgaria. These carpets are found all across the Balkan mountains today.
As of today, in the town, carpet manufacturing (kilim) remains dominant. Traditionally, carpets were made according to traditional designs, but in recent years customers have been able to choose the pattern of their carpets.
Kilimi (Kilim) is traditional hand-woven carpets from north-eastern Bulgaria made by women in Chiprovtsi's women.
Chiprovtsi kilim is handmade flatwoven kilim rugs that have two identical sides and belongs to the Western Bulgarian kilim weaving tradition. They are part of the Bulgarian national heritage, traditions, arts, and crafts. The name "Chiprovtsi kilim" is derived from the town where their production began in the 17th century.
Many of the households in the town have a vertical handloom, which the women use to weave two-sided tapestries. The weaving is done with the left hand, as well as weaving the weft yarn into the warp.
The weaver then uses a small beater to tighten the weave. The men typically work in wool production, processing, and dyeing. Naturally dyed yarn can give soft pastel carpet hues, while chemical dye produces brighter shades. Finished carpets are known for their composition, ornamental patterns, and color.
Weaving carpets go hand in hand with religion, verbal formulas, and traditional practices. Weavers say prayers and make wishes for success before working on a new carpet, and sing and tell stories while they work.
The traditional colors of the carpets are yellow, brown, red, blue, and green. The first carpets were only two colors - red and black. They were made of natural materials like cotton and wool. Their thickness is between three and five millimeters. These carpets were traditionally produced during the Bulgarian National Revival.
Transmission of the practice occurs informally between mothers and grandmothers to daughters, often as they weave together on a large carpet. In addition to the various forms of ornamentation that are prominent within the community, the carpet weaving itself is used as part of the town's coat of arms. At exhibitions in London, Paris, Liège, and Brussels, the local Chiprovtsi carpets have been prized. But, in recent decades, the Chiprovtsi carpet industry has been in decline, as their foreign markets have lost interest. This has resulted in a demographic crisis for the town and its municipality.
While part of a broader Balkan kilim tradition, the Chiprovtsi carpets are part of a unique local tradition. The Chiprovtsi carpets are associated specifically with the historic Pirot carpets found in Eastern Serbia and Western Bulgaria. These carpets are found all across the Balkan mountains today.
As of today, in the town, carpet manufacturing (kilim) remains dominant. Traditionally, carpets were made according to traditional designs, but in recent years customers have been able to choose the pattern of their carpets.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-tradition-of-carpet-making-in-chiprovtsi-00965) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiprovtsi_kilim) |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices |Country=Bulgaria |SDG=(08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}