Travels with Tricia

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The Snowflake-Like Lace of Kalofer, Bulgaria

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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Kalofer Lace Bulgaria

In the shadows of the Balkan Mountains in Central Bulgaria, residents in the village of Kalofer have been making lace for more than one hundred years. The artisans initially drew inspiration from traditional Belgian patterns, but over time they developed their own designs, evoking images of ephemeral snowflakes, and silk-like spiderwebs. In Bulgarian, the lace is known as Калоферска Дантела (Kaloferska Dantela).

Today, artisans of all ages painstakingly craft the delicate masterpieces, transforming thread into pieces that depict swans, flowers, peacocks, and even amoeba-shaped flourishes destined for women’s dresses.

I photographed these pieces at Kalofer’s Lace Festival, which takes place every August 15th. More on that, and off-the-beaten-path Kalofer soon!

Where in the World?

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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13 responses to “The Snowflake-Like Lace of Kalofer, Bulgaria”

  1. leahrennes Avatar
    leahrennes

    beautiful!!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Agreed, Leah. As a child, I tried to learn how to cross-stitch, but I was an impatient student. :) Knowing all the work that goes into these pieces makes me appreciate them even more.

      Reply
  2. jingsandthings Avatar
    jingsandthings

    It’s fascinating to watch people making lace with their lace cushions and bobbins and hands which spirit the bobbins around so quickly it’s impossible to follow them. And before you realise what is happening a little pattern of lace has formed.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Dorothy, you’re absolutely right about the flurry of movement an experienced lacemaker can exhibit! While we enjoyed watching the pros perform at dizzying speeds, it was fun seeing the young beginners, some trying their hand at traditional patterns, others doing samplers of sorts. It’s lovely to know that this traditional art-form is being cherished in this Bulgarian village.

      Reply
  3. the eternal traveller Avatar
    the eternal traveller

    Lace is so beautiful and delicate and the hours that go into creating a piece make my head spin. I love watching it but I won’t be tempted to try myself. My mother has a dear friend who is a dedicated lace maker and I am fortunate to own a small piece of her work.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Carol, I must confess that after my failed attempts at cross-stitching and knitting, that I also likely won’t be giving lacemaking a whirl any time soon. :) Aside from watching the lace-making process, I love hearing the stories of the artisans themselves – especially how they came to learn lacemaking.

      What is the motif of the lace made by your mother’s friend? You must treasure it even more knowing who made it!

      Reply
      1. the eternal traveller Avatar
        the eternal traveller

        It is a small piece with a flower in the middle, oval in shape. It is very special, as is the lady who made it.

  4. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I loved looking at all the lace when I visited Belgium, and this stuff is gorgeous too! It’s hard not to admire something that requires so much time and talent.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Laura, you’re right. In an age where so much is mass produced, it’s refreshing to see individuals preserving an art that does require much skill and patience. I smiled when I saw the young lacemakers working right alongside the more mature ones, and thought it was neat that some were innovating a bit (using fluorescent-green thread for example, or making lace jewelry).

      Reply
  5. Bespoke Traveler Avatar
    Bespoke Traveler

    These lace samples remind me of the ones made on the island of Burano, Italy. Lace-making skills were imported to Burano from Cyprus. It is fascinating to discover these connective threads in hand-crafting.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Interesting to learn about Burano’s lace having its roots in Cyprus, Bespoke Traveler. While I’ve been to Murano, I have yet to experience Burano, which I hear is quite picturesque thanks to its vibrantly-painted homes. Thanks for sharing that tidbit.

      Reply
  6. Marilyn Albright Avatar
    Marilyn Albright

    I hope the young people are learning to make this lace so that the creation of this spectacular artwork does not stop!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Hi Marilyn, so nice to hear from you!

      Regarding the handing down of this skill from generation to generation, you’ll be happy to hear that there have been workshops for young people to learn too. I hope to soon compile my notes from this village’s lace festival, where even children were trying their hand at lacemaking. Some were already quite accomplished, and others were just beginning. Either way, I was impressed with the degree of patience they had for the craft.

      Reply