Tetovo resident Margarita Hristakieva Stoycheva made a unique donation to the Regional History Museum – the exceptionally well-preserved Hertsoi folk costume of her grandmother Bona Staykova.

“I received the costume from my mother Marina Staykova shortly before she passed away a few years ago. She, in turn, got it from her mother – my grandmother Bona, born in 1905. The costume was made especially for Grandma Bona by her mother – my great-grandmother Stanka. Back then, there was a tradition – when a girl was born, they immediately started sewing a costume for her. I was amazed when my mother opened the chest and saw how the costume was preserved – like new”, says the 71-year-old woman.

She and her husband decided to donate the costume to the museum “because it is priceless.” And because they are convinced that it will be preserved there properly and shown to those who come after us as a strong thread between generations.

Margarita Stoycheva is a mother of three children and grandmother of three grandchildren. A mechanical engineer, she worked at the Antibiotic Factory in Razgrad from 1984 until her retirement. Her husband – also a pensioner – worked as a chief power engineer in the Water and Sewerage Company.

Margarita Stoycheva received the Certificate of Donation from the curator of the “Newest History” department at RHM-Razgrad, Neno Yakimov.

And at parting, she promised to return with more “treasures” from the Sarkolevi family’s family chest, as well as “Singer” foot-operated sewing machine, so that they “will remain for generations as a testament to the lifestyle, spirituality and culture of the Herzoi from Ludogorie.”

See more photos on the museum’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/regionalhistorymuseumrazgrad/