Through the delicate stitches of Bulgarian embroidery, Iren Velichkova-Yamami tells the story of Bulgaria. Two years ago, she donated a hand-embroidered map of Bulgaria to the National History Museum, and now she is about to present her book, Bulgaria in Embroidery.

Published in three languages — Bulgarian, English and Japanese — the book contains detailed descriptions of traditional Bulgarian embroidery and its symbolism. The cover features the same embroidered map of Bulgaria depicting 144 national embroidery patterns associated with the country's ethnographic regions.

• Irene Velichkova-Yamami lives in Japan, but does not stop ‎embroidering... Bulgaria

The book launch event will take place on 11 August at the Nikolay Vranchev Regional Library in Smolyan. This was announced to BTA by Antoaneta Nikolova, the library's chief expert on programmes, cultural activities and public relations. Iren Velichkova-Yamami has lived in Japan since 1988, where she has built a personal and professional life.

For over 25 years, she has dedicated herself to researching and systematising Bulgarian embroidery and searching for its sacred meaning. She founded her own embroidery school in Japan, where she teaches courses.

Editor: Yoan Kolev

Posted in English by E . Radkova

Photos: Nikolay Vranchev Regional Library, Serdica Gallery