Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtica Since 2016 it is on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. The festival takes place in Koprivshtica, once in five years, 2020 festival was cancelled as a result of Kovid-19 pandemic.
2025 Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtica was a grand event with more than 7,000 participants. Looking forward to the XIV edition of the Festival of Bulgarian Folklore in 2030.
Surva festival of masquerade games - 11 years on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, since 2015.
Every January the International Festival of Masquerade Games “Surva” in Pernik makes the city world-famous. Read our blog post with colourful photos of Surva Mummers' Festival in Pernik.
Chiprovtsi’s carpet making tradition
Chiprovtsi carpet-making - Since 2014 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chiprovtsi’s carpet making tradition stands as one of Bulgaria’s most enduring cultural treasures.
For centuries, artisans in the mountain town have woven richly patterned, hand crafted carpets using natural dyes and wool. The distinctive geometric motifs—often symbolizing harmony, protection, and prosperity—reflect deep Balkan and local heritage. Each carpet is created on a vertical loom, requiring patience, precision, and a strong sense of rhythm.
Cultural impact
Moreover, beyond their beauty, these carpets embody local community identity, passed down through generations of skilled craftswomen. Therefore today, Chiprovtsi carpets remain a symbol of Bulgarian artistry, resilience, and cultural continuity. Above all, Chiprovtsi’s carpet making tradition is celebrated both nationally and internationally for the craftsmanship.
A messages from the past: the Panagyr of Saints Constantine and Helena in the village of Bulgari, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009
Traditional singing from Bulgaria's Dolen and Satovcha villages in Blagoevgrad region became part of the world's intangible UNESCO cultural heritage. The so-called "visoko" (high) singing from the region is a unique four-part singing which received international recognition for the first time in 1988, when the singers from the villages of Dolen and Satovcha were awarded the Herder Prize.
Bagpipes and Bagpipe playing in Bulgaria
We are so excited that “Bagpipes and bagpipe playing in Bulgaria” joined the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!( December 2025)
The Bulgarian GAIDA isn’t just an instrument - it’s a heartbeat of traditions, memories, and moments that bring people together. From mountain melodies to village celebrations, it carries a spirit that’s impossible not to feel.
We‘re honestly so proud to see this beautiful piece of our culture recognized on a global stage. Huge appreciation to everyone who keeps this tradition alive and thriving.
The archaic Bulgarian tradition of polyphony, dances and rituals from the Shoplouk region - on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2005. You can enjoy their art here
Yoghurt is the new Bulgarian candidate for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, together with Romania and Turkey.(January 2026). The beneficial bacteria in yoghurt is Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which works together with Streptococcus thermophilus.
Lactobacillus bulgaricus was first identified in 1905 by the Bulgarian scientist Stamen Grigorov. He isolated the rod-shaped bacterium from traditional yoghurt made in his home village in Bulgaria. The microorganism plays a key role in milk fermentation and is widely recognized as a probiotic. Dr. Grigorov published his discovery in the journal "Revue médicale de la Suisse romande", where it attracted international attention.
