Арт къща Дъждовница

Dazhdovnitsa is a small village in the Eastern Rhodopes, located on the shores of Kardzhali Reservoir, 11 km west of the town of Kardzhali. It is situated on a wooded hill with a beautiful view of the reservoir. In the center of the village is Art House Dazhdovnitsa, built in 2005 by the Art Movement “Krag.” Nearby is a path leading to the Thracian rock niches above the village (about 1 km away), the Utroba Cave, and the village of Nenkovo, where visitors can see an 18th-century medieval stone bridge connecting the two banks of the Borovitsa River, just before reaching the village of Borovitsa. Since 2005, Dazhdovnitsa has attracted hundreds of artists from around the world, inspired by the unique charm of the contemporary art space. The Art House is part of the network of European Cultural Youth Houses. Each year, the Art Movement “Krag” announces thematic competitions that bring together hundreds of participants for the summer International Art Workshop “Art Horizons.” Artists, sculptors, photographers, writers, actors, translators, directors, researchers, and university groups from 33 countries—such as the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, the USA, Japan, Israel, Argentina, Mexico, Thailand, and others—have visited and worked here on creative projects. The Art House is built on the stone remains of an old madrasa (a Muslim religious school), which once stood in the courtyard of the village mosque. In the 1950s, the building housed the village’s primary school. After extensive renovations, the structure was transformed from a single-story to a two-story building, with the help of young volunteers. Part of the space was converted into an art hostel, and the courtyard was turned into an open-air gallery. The 100-year-old stone building now welcomes guests with its unique exhibitions and artistic projects. The Art House has a seminar room, a computer room with internet access, a museum area preserving original artifacts of local life and traditions, and a kitchen where guests can prepare traditional dishes themselves. In addition to the works of contemporary artists, visitors can see collections of old photographs of Turkish families from nearby villages, traditional costumes, knitted items, wood carvings, ironwork, festive jewellery, and other items from the daily life of local people. The team at the Art House carefully preserves and presents valuable ethnographic materials and documents related to local life and religious and festive culture. They also organize cultural expeditions, allowing visitors to experience the charm of the area in a unique way. The Art House hosts summer classes in visual arts and creative writing for children and young people from the region and the country. Besides the International Workshop “Art Horizons,” the village is also known for the cheerful Festival of the Sock, held on the first Saturday of September, again organized by the Art Movement “Krag.” Both events are part of the National Cultural Calendar of the Ministry of Culture.