Palace of Varied Industries

[worldfairs]

Palace of Varied Industries

[worldfairs]

BULGARIAN NATIONAL EXHIBIT

Among the many wonderful exhibits in the great Palace of Varied Industries there is one that every freedom-loving American should see. It is the national exhibit made by Bulgaria, and it means infinitely more than appears on the surface. The fact that Bulgaria is able to make a national display at a great World's Fair is of more consequence than the display itself. Only a quarter of a century ago this little principality was under the baleful sway of Turkey, and her story was tragic in the extreme. The long struggle between the Bulgarian and his mortal enemy, the Turk, is symbolized by the fountain in the Bulgarian exhibit, a fountain of bronze showing a Bulgarian in hiding in a cave and a Turk creeping down upon him. A stream of water perfumed with “ otto of roses” pours from the fountain, by which it is intimated that Bulgaria has perfume where, but a few years ago, she had blood. The manufacture of this oil of roses is one of the chief industries of the country. Of the other industries the leading ones are, the making of rugs, silk worm culture and silk weaving, hemp and wool weaving, and the making of wines and liqueurs. But a few years ago all these things had to be imported into Bulgaria.