What sets daily sketches and urban folklore distinctly apart
is the amount of truth credited to one versus the other. For example, hearsay
coverage is generally considered popular through circulation via emails,
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social networks. Tales are repeated
often enough to develop a life of their own order however folklore is regarded
with more respect as moral from the past.
Personal memories, social customs, weekly rumours and street
life habits beside formal history and traditions are what make up the so-called
cultura trimona.
The Plovdiv folklore consists of cross-fertilized footprints
from Thrace and Macedonia in addition to traditions that are indigenous to the
Seven Hills area. Spirits of poets, singers, rebels and visionaries are deeply
inculcated through the ages. Even though, urban folklore in such cases also
includes superstitions as stumbling on right foot claims a good fortune for any
Plovdiv gambler. Therefore became part of the local mythology and presented a
mindset.
The Plovdiv’s urban order is a contemporary invention that
involves however more cultivated customs and manners. Arguably, cultura trimona
may be considered as a subculture of one Plovdivian national establishment
since its daily agenda deals with current citywide events, beliefs and even
myths that are perpetuated through oral tradition, social relevance and
communities of interests.
Plovdiv urban order imparts moral, attitude, apprehensions
generally. At particularly daily base it sets warnings about the controversy of
city life, of trusting acquaintances and strangers as well as of being aware of
cornerstones in society. Plovdivers tend to believe what personality may take
from this order strongly depends on its background and in other words for how
long it has known the city. A question of building oneself as embedding into
the city storyline. A question of being with its emotions, labour, concerns,
suspicions, and prejudices.
Cultura trimona is Plovdiv’s narrative of life confined
between here-and-now: dazzle, humorous, or cautionary. Tales told by common
domains, which citizens often accept to the letter, even if their plots are
just barely believable - Sofia always tries to diminish Plovdiv while other
Bulgarians are nerds and wannabees who are starving of living as Plovdivers.
One may encounter this narrative everywhere he finds a true
Plovdivian - a little flamboyant, a little vulgar, partially sceptic and enough
perky. It is also reinterpreted at their work, at their amusements, garment
styles they prefer and even what weather they admire. Influenced by its
heritage the cultura trimona lasts vividly.
Nevertheless it still looks forward to seeing its brightest
side which always remains ahead naturally. Still constructing, still
engineering, planning and hesitating. Inevitably.
