On April 2, 2026, a researcher at the department “Museum of Bulgarian Civilization” of the Bolgar Museum-Reserve S. V. Krivosheyeva conducted an interactive lesson “Ink with your own hands” for students from the school camp at Bolgar secondary school №2. 25 people attended the lesson.
It is difficult to find someone who has not used ink or has not known what it is. However, how many of us know the history of ink? The word “ink” comes from “encaustum” (burnt). There were many recipes for making ink in the middle ages. The children learned that the most ancient ink recipe is soot with gum (cherry glue) diluted in ordinary water. For durable inscriptions, ink was made from oak nuts with the same gum. Ink had various names in different countries.
At the event, children were able to make their own medieval ink and try writing, and even drawing with it.