Bulgarian potters, weavers, coppersmiths, basket weavers, goldsmiths, saddler makers, cutlery makers, woodworkers, embroiderers, tailors and icon painters will show how the country's population made such traditional crafts in the days of yore during the sixth international traditional crafts fair Etar 2008.

It will be held at the architectural-ethnographic reserve of Etar, near Gabrovo, in central Stara Planina from September 5 to 7 2008.

More than 60 local masters will take part. Every year, a contest in one of the crafts take place, with the potters competing this time around. They will start creating the pieces for the competition on September 3. The grand prize is a certificate, a monetary award and participation in the exhibition in Etar's exhibition hall in September 2009. The main requirement is for participants to follow traditional techniques in the craft, creating and decorating their pieces using traditional instruments.

Famous Bulgarian folklore singers Yanka Roupkina and Kalinka Sgurova are special guests of the fair and will perform at the official opening on September 5. Local folk dancers will also take part in the programme.

On the same date will open an exhibition of the 2007 craft mastery winner, Georgi Mitsovski, a master basket maker from the town of Byala Slatina.

Dyeing wool with natural dyes and smoking plums will also be demonstrated during the festivities. Guests can also watch a fashion show of traditional folk dress.

The international participants from Romania, Moldova, Czech Republic, Morocco, Japan and Russia will demonstrate traditional crafts from their countries, as well. They will paint eggs, weave, create ceramic pieces, make origami, do calligraphy and more. The participants from Croatia will demonstrate traditional wedding rituals.

Before the festival, on September 4 and 5, Etar will also host the international conference National Crafts - Past, Present and Future, which will take place for fourth consecutive time as part of the fair.

In 2007, 11 000 people attended the Etar fair, the Ministry of Culture said in a media statement. It was first held in the modern era in 1990, when the tradition was restored on the basis of historical records of such a fair in Gabrovo. It is organised by Gabrovo municipality, the Etar architectural-ethnographic complex and the Ministry of Culture. In 2003, the fair went international.