VINPROM - TROYAN AD is a historical successor to the traditions in brandy distilling in the region of Troyan. It was founded in 1948 as a division of the state alcohol monopoly. The main activity was the production of Troyan plum brandy and apple brandy as well as the trade with them.

For the implementation of this activity it had a few well-equipped distilleries in various villages in the region and one commercial warehouse in the town.

In 1959, the company became independent and began modernization, as in addition to the traditional distillation apparatus, the first distillation column was installed. Due to increasing production and the need to improve the technology, in 1968 new, contemporary and modern enterprise was built, with processing capacity of 6,000 tons of fruit and aging warehouses with classical technology for 800 tons of brandy, which maintains and develops the brand "Troyan plum brandy" today.

In 1990, with the unbundling of the sector a state company "VINPROM - Troyan" was registered. Following several transformations, in 1997, a limited company "VINPROM - Troyan" through mass privatization was registered.
In 2007 the majority share in the company was bought by the largest European manufacturer of fruit distillates, the Czech company "Rudolph Jelinek".

"VINPROM - Troyan" AD is a national leader in the production of natural fruit distillates and brandies. Troyan plum brandy is the strongest Bulgarian brand. Preserving the tradition, the company maintained to keep the dominance of the plum distillate, which is over 90% of the total production. Except plum distillate, the company produces apple, apricot, cherry and pear distillates.

http://www.vinprom-troyan.bg

In the center of Troyan, in the first post-liberation building, built in 1881, the exhibition of the museum of crafts is housed. It is the only museum in the country that displays traditional crafts such instumentarium, development of forms, the most characteristic decorative systems and function of objects. The exhibition shows the most common and forming the crafts shape of the town: pottery, woodworking, metalworking and folk textiles.

Whimsical accents in the museum are recreations of the Troyan Renaissance Bazaar, authentic pottery workshop from the middle of the 19th century, wine vessels workshop from the same period, and the interior of a traditional Balkan home. Leading part of the exposition is given to the Troyan  pottery. Its development in Troyan is presented chronologically: from the prehistoric primitive, handmade pots, though the antique - Thracian and ancient Greek pottery made on the potter's wheel, and Roman pottery in our land, to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The origin and development of the characteristic "Troyan  pattern", an emblem of the Troyan  master ceramists, are traced. The exhibition also presents the woodworking crafts. Starting from the ax-Krivitsa, the drill and the chisel, used by the Balkan man to make rough objects for everyday use, they go past the water and foot-strap lathe and reach to the church woodcarving, which with its highly artistic achievements is the top of traditional craftsmanship. There are the tools used in wood wine vessel making and pyrography. Blacksmith, goldsmith, gunsmithing and copper are displayed from the metalworking crafts. They are represented by the most famous family lineage - Totevi. They construct vessels featuring with sleek silhouette and decoration, which besides the aestetic and decorative also has a functional purpose. The bronze vessels decoration is from simple lines and dots to complex compositions of geometric, floral and anthropomorphic motifs. The exhibition also represents the works of female skill and aesthetic sense. Troyan  women were known as masters of the russet weavers, which except dressing their families, they sold their products on the local market. Another fame of the Troyan hosts are the rugs, weaved by tied technique with preferences to the floral motifs. The traditional clothing is shown. It is with clean silhouettes and warm earth tones, giving a kind of urban style to the Troyan outfit. Next to it shine the costumes from the village of Golyama Zhelyazna with rich embroidered decoration and home made decoration on all parts of the garment.

Exhibition "Renaissance"

Exhibition "Renaissance" is exhibited in the restored Ottoman Konak, built in 1868 related to the announcement of a Troyan Nahiya (district). The pictures, documents and objects represent the regional history - economic development, educational and cultural development. Troyan’s participation in the national liberation movement, ranging from haidouts, chetnik movement, the foundation of Troyan  Revolutionary Committee in 1871 by Vasil Levski and its activity, the involvement in the April Uprising of Novoseltsi, and the existence of 10 days Novoselska Republic. An emphasis is put on the Botev’s cheta and the Troyan trace in it, Dimitar Ikonomov - Dimitrikata, who was a member of the commading and gives the idea of ​​ the Radetzky ship capturing. The exhibition ends with materials related to the winter passage of Troyan passage by gen. Kartsov’s army in January 1878 and the Troyans’ participation. The most valuable exhibit is a part of the original flag of the Troyan  Revolutionary Committee, embroidered by Marko Ivanov Markovski by project of Toma Hitrov. Focus of the exhibition are the models of iconic Renaissance buildings – The Mutual School built in 1847, the "Yellow School" built in 1872, St. Paraskeva  Church from 1835, Vasil Spasov’s inn, where Vasil Levski swore the Troyan  revolutionaries.

The National Exhibition of Folk Arts and Crafts is located in village Oreshak, 7 km from Troyan and about a kilometer from the Troyan Monastery.

The National Exhibition of Folk Arts and Crafts in Oreshak is the only place in Bulgaria where artists from across the country display their contemporary art works. The idea for its creation came from the recent past. In the second half of 18th century, August 15th, Assumption - the Troyan Monastery’s feast, was the beginning of an organized craft fair in Oreshak. A few years it became one of the largest fairs in Northern Bulgaria. It became a meeting place for artists from all over Bulgaria.

The exhibition was opened in 1971. Built on an area of ​​50 acres, it has 8 halls with a total exhibition area of ​​4,500 square meters and a multipurpose conference room. The main purpose of the exhibition is to show this original side of the Bulgarian artistic genius - the traditional crafts, and to encourage their development. This is accomplished through international, national, authors’ and other exhibitions of artists from across the country and abroad.

In the middle of the 20th century, the interest in the works of folk arts and crafts revived gradually rose. In 1967 the folk crafts masters were united in an organization called the Association of Masters of Folk Crafts, with headquarters in Sofia.

Since 1981, the National Fair of Folk Art Crafts was born from a donor movement. Bulgarian and foreign artists donated over 1,080 objects that are continuously exhibited in one of the halls.

Annually the complex organizes national and international exhibitions with the participation of Bulgarian and foreign artists. Ceramics, wood, metal, fabric, embroidery, jewelery, weapons and more are displayrd in the halls.

In addition to live demonstrations of various crafts, such as pottery and carvings, visitors can themselves take part in creating something with their own hands. Here a variety of items and souvenirs are sold.

Every year on August 15th, when the Troyan Monastery Church feast is, four days Crafts Fair is held at the exhibition, and during the Easter holidays an Easter Fair is held. Artists present their works in the courtyard of the exhibition during the fairs.

Twenty 20 years ago, from the exhibition of traditional crafts the "Feast of plum and Troyan plum brandy" started and became tradition.

INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK in Troyan was created by a decision No 6/17.01.1978 of the Council of Ministers. It is a direct descendant of the founded in 1910 State Fruit Nursery, later converted in Experimental Station of Plum Culture (1953), Experimental Orchards and Mountain Farming Station (1959), and Experimental Station (1962).

This is the only unit in the Agricultural Academy system, authorized to solve complex issues concerning agriculture in mountainous and foothill regions. The solution of these issues is done together with the institute’s branch in Dryanovo.

The Institute and its Experimental station carry out research, consultations, implementation and production in the field of animal husbandry, horticulture and fodder production.
Projects for applying to domestic and foreign financing programs, funds, and other organizations are developed. Specialized courses and open days are carried out. Consultations on various matters are given. Soil samples as well as samples to characterize feed, milk and meat are studied. Seed, plant and breeding materials are produced.

http://www.rimsa.eu

„Биоселена“ е българска неправителствена организация, която от 1995 година работи за развитието на биологичното и устойчивото земеделие, опазването на биоразнообразието и околната среда в България.

Фондацията е член на IFOAM, Международната федерация на движенията за биологично земеделие, асоцииран член на  FACE, Европейската мрежа за фермерските и занаятчийските производители на сирене. Съучредител на Националната Асоциация БИОПРОДУКТИ.

От 2012 година „Биоселена“ координира изпълнението на четиригодишния българско-швейцарски проект „За Балкана и хората“ („Да свържем опазването на природата с устойчивото развитие на селските райони“), най-големият проект,  финансиран от Българо-швейцарската програма за сътрудничество чрез Фонда за реформи, свързани с участието на гражданското общество. Районът на проекта включва девет Натура 2000 зони в Западна и Централна Стара планина и по него работят Министерството на земеделието и храните, пет български и четири швейцарски неправителствени организации. С помощта на проекта в района на Западна и Централна Стара планина вече има 9 фермери, регистрирани по Наредба 26 на МЗХ за преки продажби, предстои регистрацията на други десет. Фермерски храни се предлагат от мобилни хладилни витрини на пазарите в София и Стара Загора, на фестивали и изложения. В рамките на проекта са обучени над 400 фермери. Работи се за управлението и устойчивото ползване на високопланинските пасища. Действаща информационна система за местните породи дава възможност за по-рентабилно управление на средствата за опазването на редките български породи. Финансирани са пет бизнеса, чиято дейност подпомага биоразнообразието. В резултат на проекта в България вече действат първите схеми на плащания за екосистемни услуги чрез създаване на реални механизми за устойчиво ползване на ресурсите в защитените територии.  „За Балкана и хората“ показва на работещ модел на печелившата връзка между запазването на природата и устойчивото развитие на селските райони в територии с висока природна стойност - за местните хора, за бизнеса и за околната среда.

„Биоселена“ участва за трети път в Български фестивал на сливата - Троян, като представя фермерски храни на производители от Балкана.

За повече информация: http://bioselena.com/

In 1991 the Seryakova House building, home of George Seryakov (Gio), who was Botev’s rebel and died in 1876 at Milin Kamak in the Vratsa Balkan, was provided to the Troyan  artists Company to be their headquarters and to be used as an Art Gallery.

For 20 years over 16 exhibitions annually were organized there. The works of local and visiting artists were shown; meetings with intellectuals were held; poetic, musical evenings and other cultural events took place.
The gallery has 5 exhibition halls; an office that provides comprehensive information and promotional materials about each author. There is a stand for ceramic, textile and other souvenirs, and Art Club Café suitable for artists and art lovers meetings.
The gallery works with artists from Bulgaria and abroad. It is visited by about 5,000 visitors annually - artists, patrons, students, Bulgarian and foreign tourists.

Today, the Troyan Artists Society has about 55 masters of brush and clay.
Annually there are three traditional exhibitions of the Company: Easter (on the eve of Easter) Autumn Salon (on the eve of St. Petko - Feast of Troyan) and Christmas Bazaar (on Christmas Eve).

Galleriya Seryakova Kashta
Druzhestvo na troyanskite hudozhnitsi
5600 Troyan, ul. Angel Kanchev 6
Tel: +359670 / 6 28 77, +359 / 879 262 877
e-mail: mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Place
Seryakova House Gallery is exactly what the noble façade promises: style, comfort, own atmosphere. The five exhibition halls, the gallery office, the souvenir stand, the Art Club Café offer their hospitality to anyone who chooses to run away for a while from the tiring pace of everyday life. Here one may look at the latest exhibition, find long-sought gift, meet valueable people or just enjoy a relaxing sip of coffee. Seryakova House is one of the Troyan islands of spirituality and urban life.

The people
Seryakova House is the headquarters of the Troyan Artists Society, which has about 50 masters of brush and clay. Chairman of the Company is the famous Troyan potter Encho Gankovski. Soul of the house is the curator Mariela Shoshkova who inputs a lot of energy and love to keep this place as a true home of art and good taste. The gallery works with artists from Sofia, Pleven, Lovech and other towns. Every year about 5,000 visitors - artists, patrons, students, Bulgarian and foreign tourists pass through it. Art Club hosts are able to meet in style. You will not meet random people in Seryakova house.

Author: Nellie Genkova