EC day 2017 "Cross-border Crafts Fair"

A colorful festive square welcomed the residents of the town of Pernik on 30 September. The reason for the "Cross-border Crafts Fair" was the European Cooperation Day. The celebration of was organized by the Joint Secretariat Program Interreg-IPA Bulgaria - Serbia 2014-2020.

Every year since 2012, in September, more than 30 countries across Europe and more than 70 territorial cooperation programs celebrate the successes and achievements of the joint projects, where countries and regions partner in tackling the challenges of solving common problems.

This year, the organizers of the event - the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia - gathered at the main city square of Pernik artisans from the cross-border region, preserving old traditional crafts. The craftsmen presented handmade embroidery, knitting, woodcarving, stained glass, leather and clay, decorations, knives of Damascus steel and many others.

Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ms. Denitsa Nikolova opened the festive program together with the Ambassador of the republic of Serbia in the republic of Bulgaria, Vladimir Curgus and Mayor, Vyara Tserovska.

After the official opening, visitors had the opportunity to participate in the main attraction of the fair - the workshops for knitting objects of corn leaves, painting of ceramic vessels and glass, wool sweeping, embroidery and embroidery of sherds, etc.

In total, more than 220 people attended the fair.