For me, touching another era is like stepping into a fairy tale. Although my time is limited, every opportunity to immerse myself in the medieval Bulgarian culture through the clothing and combat equipment of the people of that time inspires and recharges me. Interacting with people who do historical reenactments has shown me that the history we are taught in school is often incomplete and inaccurate.
In the beginning I just photographed what I saw, but over time and with the help of Jasmin Parvanov from the association ‘Avithol’ I began to understand the meaning behind every detail of the clothes. The opulent robes of the aristocrats and the varied costumes of the common people tell the story of the past in a way that words cannot. If you happen upon a historical re-enactment event and observe the participants for a while, you can close your eyes and be transported back in time.
This project made me think about the meaning of clothing as an expression of identity and social belonging. Sometimes, as I walk around and observe people, I see how some are trying to be something they are not, and others are in complete harmony with themselves. This makes me wonder: was vanity as important in the Middle Ages as it is today?
