Mathematics and

Bulgarian Culture

April 2012

In all probability, carpets loom on Bulgarian soil dates before Homer’stime.Because of the geographical position of our country the Bulgarian carpets have been influenced by the East. But what is eastern, whatis local, it’s impossible to find out. The truth is that there is uniformitybetween the Balkan, Anatolian, Persian, Mongolian and Caucasian ornaments. It has been determined that during the period from the 17th to the 19th

centuries the Bulgarian carpet industry becomes an intensively developing craft with sells on the markets in the lands of Turkey, the Balkans, Central Europe, Italy, The Arabian countries, Iran and even India.

The two most characteristic types of Bulgarian carpets are the Chiprovtsi and the Kotel carpets.

The ornamental and structural diversity of patterns of the Chiprovtsi carpets contrasts with the rigorous geometricity of the Kotel ones.

Chiprovtsi carpets

Kotel carpets

“Kene” – an exquisite lace on a horse-hair base

“Кеnе” from Starosel

from Samokov with geometrical figures

Table-cloth made with 5 knitting-needlesLace from Samokov

Crochet-work