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Eco Print Art Residence 3-5 July 2026 with Nikolet and Maria Zhekova Silivriyak, Rhodope mountains
BULGARIA
What to Expect
Over three magical days, you’ll immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Rhodope Mountains, master the art of eco-printing on textiles through hands-on workshops (suitable for beginners and experienced dyers alike), forage for plants, create lasting botanical prints on cotton scarves, create colourful backgrounds with the help of tannins , and enjoy authentic, seasonal farm-to-table meals prepared with love by Maria Zhekova — all in the intimate, inspiring setting of Silivryak.
❋ Intentional StructureA carefully designed three-day flow that gently balances deep eco-print workshops, foraging in nature, shared seasonal meals, and spacious time for rest and reflection.
❋ Collaborative EnergyA small, intimate group setting where participants co-create, experiment, share discoveries, and support each other’s creative process with plants, textiles, and stories.
❋ Expert FacilitationGuided by Nikolet’s 7 years of hands-on experience in eco-printing and Maria Zhekova’s masterful approach to local, seasonal cooking and authentic hospitality.
❋ A Supportive SpaceThe lovingly restored Silivryak sanctuary — surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Rhodope Mountains — offering a safe, inspiring container for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and nurturing both creativity and soul.
Reconnect with your hands and the creative power of plants through botanical printing
Arrive & Meet
Day One
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us and the place of Silivryak.
The journey starts here.
ArrivingAfter 3:00pm
Settle in , rest 06.30 pm
Special seasonal dinner by chef Maria Jekova 
Day Two
FULL ECO PRINT WORKSHOP DAY
Together with me, Nikolet — creator of the Bulgarian eco-fashion brand and creative dyeing studio “Zemna” in the Kyustendil region — we will dive deep into the study and practice of natural dyeing using the Eco Print technique.
This is the first event of its kind in Bulgaria, a dream I’ve held for a long time, and the moment has finally come to share my 7 years of experience with this beautiful technique.
The residency is suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners alike — everyone will discover something new through what we share and practice together.
We will work on:
Basics of Eco Print and how to create long-lasting prints on textiles (focus on cotton, linen and hemp)
Fabric preparation, recipes for different results — dark and colourful prints
Selection of materials, preparation and aftercare of dyed fabrics
Eco Print with blankets — creating colourful backgrounds and textures using tannins and natural dyes
Breakfast at shared table 9:00 – 10 am
Foraging walk for plants 10:30-11.30am
Start of Eco Print Workshop
11:30
Seasonal lunch 1:30-2.30pm
Eco Print workshop part 23:30pm
Seasonal Dinner
7pm
Day Three
Look Forward & Wrap Up
Breakfast prepeared by Maria Jekova
Closing of our nature inspired creative weekend and leaving the place by lunch
Silivryak — or “The Dream Repository”, as Maria Zhekova calls it — is her sanctuary in the small Rhodope village of Varbovo (near Shiroka Laka).
It is an old building, once a potato storage cellar, which Maria and her mother have been restoring with immense love, stubbornness and attention to every detail.
Maria — winner of MasterChef Bulgaria 2021, gardener, chef with a deep love for food and local produce, host of “The Taste of Bulgaria” — has dreamed of this since she was 11 years old: a rural idyll, connection with nature, real food, and a place that brings life back to abandoned villages.
Her concept is simple yet profound: food as nature, seasonal ingredients from the Rhodope garden and surroundings, forgotten recipes reimagined with respect for tradition.
Silivryak is not an ordinary guesthouse or hotel — it is a center for art, culture and rest that redefines rural tourism.
Here, guests become friends, and every dish tells a story about the place and its people.
Together with me, Nikolet — creator of the Bulgarian eco-fashion brand and creative dyeing studio “Zemna” in the Kyustendil region — we will dive deep into the study and practice of natural dyeing using the Eco Print technique.
This is the first event of its kind in Bulgaria, a dream I’ve held for a long time, and the moment has finally come to share my 7 years of experience with this beautiful technique.
The residency is suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners alike — everyone will discover something new through what we share and practice together.
In english and bulgarian
We will work on:
Basics of Eco Print and how to create long-lasting prints on textiles (focus on cotton and silk/light fabrics)
Fabric preparation, recipes for different results — dark and colourful prints
Selection of materials, preparation and aftercare of dyed fabrics
Eco Print with blankets — creating colourful backgrounds and textures using tannins and natural dyes
Information like this is hard to find in Bulgaria, and even harder to learn from someone with real experience in the field — that’s why I’m so excited this is finally happening.
Saturday will be a full day of dyeing with two workshops — from morning till evening we will create, experiment and immerse ourselves in the process.
Maria will take care of the food with authenticity and love — everything prepared from local products of the region.
PROGRAM
Friday
Arrival & check-in after 3 PM, rest
SPECIAL DINNER — carefully curated menu by Maria Zhekova
Saturday
09:00–10:00 — Breakfast at the shared table by Maria
10:30–11:30 — Foraging walk for plants around Silivryak
11:30–13:00 — Introduction to Eco Print on textiles, experiments, recipes, new knowledge, dyeing cotton scarves with leaves
13:00–13:30 — Short break
13:30–14:30 — Lunch at the shared table — prepared by Maria with local ingredients
14:30–15:30 — Afternoon rest, tea, coffee
15:30–17:00 — We review and discuss the results of the morning session and continue with Part 2 of the dyeing day:
Eco Print with blankets — creating colourful backgrounds using tannins , experiments, dyeing a second scarf
17:00–18:00 — Steaming the new scarves, viewing and discussing results
18:00–19:00 — Rest
19:00 — Dinner with seasonal products prepared by Maria Zhekova
Sunday
09:00–10:00 — Breakfast prepared by Maria
Closing of our nature-inspired creative weekend and departure full of new knowledge and inspiration
This is the very first Eco Print residency of its kind in Bulgaria — to keep the experience intimate and high-quality, PLACES ARE LIMITED.
If this is what you’ve been looking for, reserve your spot early.
Location: “Silivryak” — a lovingly restored hideaway in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains, where nature, creativity and local food come together.
Price: 550 EUR
Includes:
2 nights accommodation in single luxury nature inspired room
All meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) prepeared by Maria Zhekova
All materials and complete Eco Print on textiles guidance
Transport to the venue is not included — we can help with coordination for shared traveling between the participants
IMPORTANT:
A place is secured with a non-refundable deposit of 100 EUR (bank transfer, after we have messaged or spoken).
The remaining amount is paid when you arrive . Deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
If you feel the call of the Rhodope Mountains and this creative residency we are creating together with Maria — write to us privately on email and we will send you the payment details :
Email: zemnaproject@gmail.com
Phone: +359 897 677 408 – Nikoleta
We look forward to seeing you in Silivryak — where every leaf tells a story, every dish is a memory, and every moment is a feast for the senses and the soul.
See you there,
Nikoleta & Maria
More about Zemna and Maria Zhekova work > instagram > @zemnaproject > @mariajekova
@silivriyak
www.silivriyak.com