On July 1-2, 2025, Plovdiv became the epicenter of a large-scale international event related to the preservation of traditional Bulgarian crafts. A joint initiative by the Patent Office, the European Commission, and the Intellectual Property Office attracted leading experts from across Europe.

The official opening of the XVII Week of Traditional Crafts was met with exceptional interest. Among the official guests were Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, Patent Office Chairman Eng. Olya Dimitrova, and Deputy Executive Director of the EU Intellectual Property Office Edita Demby-Sivek.

The forum emphasized the new registration regime for geographical indications of craft products, including those such as Troyan, Businka, and Royal Sgraffito Ceramics, Chiprovtsi and Kotel Carpets. The goal is for unique Bulgarian traditional products to receive expanded European protection.

During the event, rare home crafts were presented, including weaving on a vertical loom, pottery, blacksmithing, knife-making, felt-making, kene, embroidery, candle-making, and jewelry-making. This year's edition carried the motto "The Sign" - a symbolic language present in every masterpiece.

The musical program included performances by the "Evmolpeya" choir conducted by Dr. Aliya Hanse and the Folklore Ensemble of St. St. Cyril and Methodius Secondary School from Plovdiv, which further enriched the cultural atmosphere of the event.

Guests had the opportunity to visit the exhibition of the Regional Ethnographic Museum, the special exhibition dedicated to the Kotel carpet, and stroll through the picturesque Old Town of Plovdiv.

The international conference reinforced Bulgaria's position as an important guardian of craft traditions and highlighted the importance of their preservation and promotion at the European level.