The mission of Taratanci is to present Bulgarian folklore to the nowadays public in an innovative, more interactive and understandable way, to “translate” it by using contemporary design. We strive to create a surprising presentation of Bulgarian folk dances and folk tales in order to evoke people’s curiosity, develop new audiences and thus preserve the intangible cultural heritage of Bulgaria. Our task is to create innovative products and services, which can be used as tools for evolving awareness to our identity and developing useful skills for everyday life.

Taratanci is the winner of the European heritage award “Europa Nostra” for 2021.

The two folklore fields we are working on so far are folk dances and folk tales.

We created a graphic universal “language” of horo dances, depicting the unique patterns, which dancers make with their steps while dancing in a circle. So far, we have visualized 40 horo dances by using our own methodology. Inspired by these delightful pictures and the great variety of horo dances, we started to present them to the public via exhibitions, books and games. We designed as well different experiences for children and adults to participate.

Our second project is in the field of folk tales. We use them to create experiences for children – a source of inspiration and wisdom from the past to develop important skills for the future. Our kids’ educational program, called Tintiri-mintiri, offers children exciting learning projects, based on plots from folk tales and mixed with modern educational models (STEAM), which help them to develop social skills, logical thinking, problem-solving skills and digital literacy.

So far, we have visualized 40 horo dances by using our own methodology, that we have called a Graphic Universal Language of Dance (GULD). We develop two different images for each dance  – one image as a graphic in a learning-mode – with steps colored in two colors for each foot, and numbers on each step, which depict the dancing sequence, and one image, presenting the dance through its steps in a full, perfect circle shape.

By buying the products of “Taratanci”, you support the cause of the graphic representation and preservation of more and more Bulgarian folk dances – an integral part of the intangible cultural heritage of Bulgaria!

In our shop you will find original entertaining and educational gifts based on Bulgarian folk dances and Bulgarian folk tales. We create all products with thought and love. Their stylish design, which combines tradition with modernity, makes them very suitable gifts for Bulgarians – folklore lovers, as well as for foreigners.