INTERVIEW – DANCHO STAMENKOV

1. What is your name ?

My name is Dancho Stamenkov from club “Tradition”.

2. Where are you from ?

I am from Shumen.

3. What is your craft ?

I present a very ancient craft. What you are seeing right now is the act of boiling aromatic oils in an ancient clay vessel called “alambik”.

4. Do you do this professionally or is it just a hobby ?

No, I don’t do this professionally. Like most other people here, I am just a hobbyist. It’s our hobbies that get us together and make us do festivals like this.

5. For how long have you been doing this ?

For a very long time. Isn’t it obvious that I look old ?

6. What inspires you to do this ? From where do you draw inspiration ?

The interest of people towards the craft. That is what really keeps me doing it.

7. Do people show a lot of interest in your craft ?

Yes, very much. Very few people know that this craft actually exist and what it is about, so pretty much everyone is interested in learning at least a little bit about it. It makes me very happy that I can spread some knowledge and inform more people of this craft. It’s what keeps me going.

8. Do you like the atmosphere and the whole festival ?

You should say if you like it. For me festivals like these are my life.