In November and December this year the visitors of the ethnographic open-air museum "Etar" are in a position to see the ethnographic exhibition "From the Cradle to the Bride", organized by the ethnographic museum - Plovdiv and the regional historical museum - Stara Zagora.
    The exhibition is aimed at presenting some rituals and customs, connected with the cycle of man's life from the birth to the wedding. The socialization of the young lady is followed through here i. E. the transition from one age group to another. With more than 100 original exponents, the basic scenes of a young lady's life are represented. Some of them are even shown for the first time at an exhibition. Such are - children's cradle from the 1st decade of 20th c. - property of Armenian immigrants in St. Zagora, 1916; a baby - carriage, produced in Rousse in the 30s of 20th c.; dresses that belonged to some ladies from Plovdiv high life from the mid 30s. It is laid emphasis on the luxury personal belongings - typical of the town' s society from the 1st half of the 20th c.
    ·  The childbirth - elegant nappies, quilts, shirts, dresses, pinafores - all with fine embroidery and made of silk and factory-woven cloths
    ·  " Proshtapulnik"- an old custom for celebrating the 1st steps of a child. On that day a special cake is made and lots of things are scattered all over the room. It' predicted the future occupation of the child according to the object he chooses. Here the items are characteristic of the town's life-style - a book, an embroidery-frame, scissors, a vanity box.
    ·  The children's world - some of the old children's games - " Open the door, King", " Twirl and run", etc.
    ·  The school days - textbooks, notebooks, magazines
    ·  The misteries of the maidenhood - The grown up daughter is already a slender and beautiful young lady and her heart experiences the first love thrills that she shares with her girl friends. The young lady meets them at home where they look through photoes of other towns and foreign fashion magazines, write down and read recollections in the memory-book, play the harmonium and read books.
    ·  The young bride- On the wedding day the girl turns into a gorgeous young lady and her father blesses her open-heartedly to create such a new home as not to disgrace her own family. Her mother meets the wedding guests at home and treats them with liqueur, sweets, and fruits. The young bride stands by her dowry-fine embroidered lingerie, cloths, toilet belongings, invitation cards to the wedding, etc.
    All this is shown in original black and white photoes (more than 30 in number) on boards too.
    All exponents are from the beginning to the 40s of 20th c.

    The opening of the exhibition is at 11:30 a.m. on the 12th of Nov. at the exhibition hall of the museum.

    Please be our guests!