Help our happy family with wood carving, carpentry and our garden near Sofia, Bulgaria

  • Favourited 166 times
  • Last activity: 14 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hello people,

    We are establishing and art space in nature called Bulgarayya.
    Our desire is to create space for artistic projects in the field of dance, music theater and other arts. Kind of residency for artists.

    There is already plenty of space for visitors and helpers... We boght a new house wich is our dancing space... SO
    IF YOU ARE DANCERS you are more than welcome!

    The village is 40km from Sofia in mountainous area with only two citizens.

    It is not a community... It is an expriment... It is a place (three houses and a yard) in a small village close to Sofia, Bulgaria. We did already reconstructed and restaurated one clay house, some dancing space and a room for guests... so there are conditions for up to 10 people living together for some time.

    There is still a lot of work in organizing the space (the garden too).

    We are a family. Petya, Dido and little Kaya
    We are working on many different ideas...

    volunteers have to be able to take care for themselves (leaving the spaces clean and organized, cooking, shoping, washing...and so on!...
    Work depends on your skills and wish...

    We do reconstruction with clay...
    Organising
    building
    we work a lot with wood, woodcarving too
    we are giving a try with the garden...
    painting
    organising art events
    there are at least five spaces that need to be cleaned and organized...
    also if you want you can give clasess in the fields of different arts!
    We are really curious!!!
    Here is some description of our project:
    "BulgaRAYya"
    an Art space in Nature

    The opportunity is there for anyone willing to:
    -Spend some time in a clean, green place, with due respect and attention to nature;
    -Help and assist;
    -Share with others;
    -Create in various fields of art;
    -Play;
    -To consider different ideas;
    What do we do there?
    Currently we are restauring a house in the traditional Bulgarian way – with clay, stone and wood;
    Among our activities are:
    -Plastering with clay;
    -Carpentry and woodcarving;
    We are not afraid to get a little dirty or try to make something new
    -Not being afraid of making a mistake;
    -we are working on a clay walls with coloured glass particles
    -Making our own furniture
    -Experimenting with new ways of plant growing with nature being our main teacher. Permaculture;
    -Mowing;
    -Sowing;
    -Maulching;
    -Watering;
    -Picking;

    We are working on the idea of building a rope garden in the trees of a nearby ravine;
    We make plans and consider different ideas;
    The yard is large and has many trees. It´s bordered by a small gully, which gives us many opportunities for the realization of different, large and small projects.
    Potter's wheel, carving tools, various other tools give us opportunities to experiment with different crafts;
    -We can organize workshops, rehearsals and improvisations in various arts;
    -We Listen to music and create it; dance; play and have fun with different games:
    Daily activities:
    -Cleaning;
    -Cooking;
    -cut wood
    -start the fire in the fire places in or out;
    In Spring and Autumn we plant trees
    The village is lovely and cozy, with different hamlets scattered on several hills. There is a beautiful small church, an old fountain and mixed forest nearby.
    We talk, discuss ideas, share our thoughts;
    We are neither afraid to stay in silence or alone;

    Before you come please note:
    Do not carry unnecessary plastic goods.
    We are not using cleaning chemicals (sometimes soup may be)
    We are vegetarians, we dont mind if you eat meaat just bring it ready for consuption.
    Bring your smiles, good thoughts and mood :)
    Bring your creativity:)
    We run, ride bikes sleds and other devices:), we try playing different instruments.
    Toalets are dry, composting.
    Ask about anything of your interest:)

    Minimum planned stay - at least one week!
    We are establishing and art space in nature. Our desire is to create space for artistic projects in the field of dance, music theater and other arts. Kind of residency for artists. The village is 40km from Sofia in mountainous area with only two citizens.
    The main Idea is to continue the creation of an residential artistic base
    It is not a community... It is an expriment... It is a place (three houses and a yard) in a small village close to Sofia, Bulgaria. We did already reconstructed and restaurated one of the houses (it is a clay house) so it has conditions for up to 7 people living together for some time. The other two houses are about to be cleaned and made usable (the red and the white houses we called them).
    We are a family. Petya, Dido and little Kaya
    Here is some description of our project:

    an Art space in Nature
    The opportunity is there for anyone willing to:
    -Spend some time in a clean, green place, with due respect and attention to nature;
    -Help and assist;
    -Share with others;
    -Create in various fields of art;
    -Play;
    -To consider different ideas;
    What do we do there?
    Currently we are restauring a house in the traditional Bulgarian way – with clay, stone and wood;
    Among our activities are:
    -Plastering with clay;
    -Carpentry and woodcarving;
    We are not afraid to get a little dirty or try to make something new

    Tge toalet is outside, there is electricity and water...

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    General Maintenance
    Help with Eco Projects
    Help around the house
    Language practice
    Art Projects
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You may learn a lot about nature and nature circles, about building with natural materials, abut running an eco-art center, some dancing :) music, or other art (depends on guest artist at that moment).
    We are also involved with a dance studio in Sofia. The two places (the one in nature and the one in the city are linked)
    There is a possibility to join the team that is running a project for artistic - adventure game happening in nature.
    There is a lot of knowledge about wood crafting, working with many different instruments (building and gardening), etc.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We are working on many different ideas... well... first volunteers to be able to take care for themselves - mostly to keep the space we live, clean and alive... and may be - cook yourself (when we are not doing it together) ...
    What we do there is mostly:
    Reconstruction with clay...
    building
    we work a lot with wood
    woodcarving too
    we are giving a try with the garden... but we are not gardeners... so if you wish to make ideas in the garden and do new things - you are REALLY welcome
    painting
    babysitting - well our girl is not a baby anymore, but she needs an eye from time to time
    organising art events

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    If it is summer then we offer food and accomodation in one of the houses... toalet is outside, bathroom (during summer) too. There is sleeping space on the roof floor of the clay house or two separated rooms in the stone house.

    Winter time we would like to offer acommodation to people but we cannot pay for food... winter time we dont stay there so you would stay on your own... also there is not so much to do but still there are things you can help (no more than 15 hours per week) ... winter time you need to go shoping for yourself in the next village.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is a lot to see around... the forest, the lake or else... Sofia is 40km away from the vilage... We have a dance studio in Sofia where a big comunity unites...
    We want to enlarge the comunity in our vilage... there is planty of space...

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    There is wifi with an internet card that costs 15lv. (7.5) euro per 15mb... ( I am not sure if that is the right way to write it) We can fill the card as much as it is needed

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We have male cat and lots of birds in the yard. The cat is very calm and if the guest animal is not chasing it I guess it will all be alright.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    About 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 459163115255

Feedback

Help me to revive my old house in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
We need some help in our beautiful and humble rural home in Stob.