
Kuklen Community Members with Disabilities Explore Etara
Gabrovo, Bulgaria: 8 April 2024
Early on the morning of April 8, during the significant Christian holiday Tsvetnitsa (Vrabnitsa), National Association for Social Cooperation and Partnership – NSSSP organized a visit to the Etara open-air ethnographic complex near Gabrovo for a group of a group of community members with disabilities from Kuklen. The group paused for a coffee break at Shipka Historical Peak before continuing to Etara.

Upon arrival, the participants were greeted with warm spring sunshine. Many were visiting Etara for the first time and felt a mix of excitement and curiosity, which had been building during the office meetings and the journey as they learned about what awaited them.
After disembarking at the parking lot, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by the project while waiting for their reserved tour time. The guide led the participants through the narrow streets and vibrant craft workshops of Etara. The museum visit included 24 participants—8 Roma, 8 Bulgarians, 2 Pomacs, and 6 Turks—alongside the project team. They explored small workshops that showcased 18 traditional crafts typical of the region, with active artisans creating their products on-site.

The tour’s highlight was a thematic presentation on weaving, given in small groups of six, allowing each participant a chance to touch the 100-year-old loom. While some engaged with the loom, others rested or picked out souvenirs to remember their experience. The tour focused on the Bazaar’s historic houses and architectural landmarks, and it took nearly two hours to see the fountains, bridges, and clock tower, among other sights.
Although tired, the group felt fulfilled by the experience and captured memories with photos before boarding the comfortable bus. On the return trip, they made a short stop in Shipka for a brief rest and arrived back home by evening. The trip left everyone energized and deeply moved, and many expressed a desire for future group journeys. The day provided rich emotions, new insights, and lasting memories.