Trnavská Brána Festival will, for the third time, also feature a one-day "festival within a festival" – the Courtyard of Magical Threads. On Saturday, August 17th, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, two courtyards will come alive with ancient arts – the Weaving and Spinning Courtyard and the Embroidery and Lace Courtyard. By the way, did you know that the first lace was discovered in Rome? It was made of metal, thanks to which we can preserve and admire its beauty to this day.
Embroidery and Lace Courtyard / Nádvorie – space of contemporary culture
Nádvorie – space of contemporary culture will open its gates to the historical art of embroidery and lacemaking. Five dozen Slovak and Czech artisans will guide you through original and modern interpretations of patterns from various geographical areas. In addition to live demonstrations, this courtyard will also offer two lectures.
At 3:00 PM, Jarmila Rybanská, a Master of Folk Art Production, who has been dedicated to bobbin lace since graduating from the Secondary School of Applied Arts, will take the floor with a presentation on Bobbin Lace of Western Slovakia. She is also the author of many pattern designs for tablecloths, pictures, Christmas decorations, and has also transcribed old Slovak regional bobbin laces. In 2001, she was awarded the title "Master of Folk Art Production," since which time her activities have expanded to include lecturing courses on various textile techniques at the School of Crafts at the Regional Crafts Center of ÚĽUV in Bratislava. She presents her work at lace-making meetings, international festivals, and world congresses.
At 4:00 PM, her place will be taken by ethnologist of the West Slovak Museum in Trnava, Aneta Vlčková, with an interesting lecture entitled Alžbeta Lichnerová – Promoter of Traditional Embroidery. Alžbeta Lichnerová is a long-time artist and author of many books dedicated to embroidery and handicrafts, such as "Embroidery Pattern Book", "Crocheted Lace", and "Whitework Embroidery". Thanks to her publications, hundreds of patterns of old Slovak folk culture are preserved, which you can also apply timelessly – in modern creations in your homes.
Photo: Embroidery and Lace Courtyard 2023, Source: Simona Princová
Weaving and Spinning Courtyard / Creative Center
The clatter of looms will echo from the Creative Center (Hlavná 17). Ten artists will showcase their craft masterpieces between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. In the studio "U zlatej priadky" (At the Golden Spinner), between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, visitors of all ages will be able to try weaving and making macramé accessories with their own hands in a creative workshop. Creative workshops for children will be prepared from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM for the youngest visitors to this courtyard.
Photo: Weaving and Spinning Courtyard 2023, Photo: Simona Princová
Alongside all this, don't forget to "peek" at the Beauty of Bobbin Lace exhibition, which will be available at the Čepan Gallery during the festival weekend from Friday to Monday (August 16th - 19th).
