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The things we create stem from the soul

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Welcoming.Coffee.Detail
Welcoming.Coffee.Detail

About the museum

The Bagpipe Museum is the only historical and ethnographic museum in Bulgaria that collects donated exhibits related to bagpipe art. The museum provides information about the making of the musical instrument and showcases personalities associated with bagpipe music. Visitors can explore numerous photos, documents, and records, making the visit enriching and multi-layered.

The museum is known for its unique artistic installations and components, which interpret the creation of the instrument. It also displays composite parts consisting of artistic sculptures and figures.

Visitors will learn about bagpipers from different generations, from the oldest, Ivan Bozukov (1888 - 1948) from the village of Korten, Nova Zagora district, to the youngest, Stefcho Ivanov from Sofia.

Even though the museum is located in the village of Stoykite, the center of the Rhodope bagpipe tradition, it equally represents the "Kaba" bagpipe and the "Jura" bagpipe in the exhibition.

The foundation of the museum

The National Bagpipers' Gathering "Apostol Kisyov" Organizing Committee initiated the collection of exhibits for the "The Bagpipe - Ancient and Eternal" museum in the spring of 2021.

A team of local volunteers, including musicians, prestigious experts, historians, and museum professionals, are involved in the project.

The exhibition, which opened on June 25, 2022, features donated items, documents, audio, video, and photo materials from all folklore regions of Bulgaria.

The collection currently includes over 250 movable items. Some exhibits are recognized as movable cultural values ​​by the Law on Cultural Heritage.

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Bagpipe.Parts
Bagpipe.Parts
Museum.Window
Museum.Window
Museum.Window

Interesting fact

Have you heard that a bagpipe player saved soldiers from execution with a Rhodopean song?

In 1917, Mihail Kiryakov from Chepelare and four others were sentenced to death by firing squad. As they were expecting to hear their last words, one asked for food, another for cigarettes, and Mihail requested to play one last time. The judges allowed it and brought him the bagpipe. He played his favorite song 'My dear mother, my darling, the sycamore forest in Sivkovo' with all his heart. When he finished, the soldiers cried out for mercy, and the death sentence was canceled for the bagpipe player and the others.

The truth of this legendary story was told in 1937 by the researcher of Rhodope history and writer Vasil Dimitrov, known by his literary pseudonym Yantai Kavalov.

Have you heard that... a bagpipe player saved soldiers from execution with a Rhodopean song?

The man from Chepelare, Mihail Kiryakov, and four others were sentenced to death by firing squad in 1917. The soldiers were expecting to hear their last words. One asked for food, another for cigarettes. 'If possible, I'd like to play one last time. It's my life and death,' said the man from Rhodope. The judges looked at each other. 'Alright, play any song you like.' They brought him the bagpipe, untied his hands, and Mihail played with all his heart. Everyone fell silent and listened to his favorite song 'My dear mother, my darling, the sycamore forest in Sivkovo.' When he finished playing, the soldiers cried out for mercy. The military panel then withdrew and canceled the death sentence for the bagpipe player and the others.

The truth of the story, which sounds like a legend, was told in 1937 by the researcher of Rhodope history and writer Vasil Dimitrov, known by his literary pseudonym Yantai Kavalov.

Discover more stories at the Bulgarian Bagpipe Museum.