In the past, weavers in Romania and Moldova produced wall carpets that served both as ornaments and insulation but were also used as dowries for brides.
During the second half of the 19th century, in some villages, specialized women weavers began to sell carpets in fairs to earn income. Many of the women in villages like Botiza and Bârsana, Tudora, Pipirig, and Ostroveni started doing all the processes necessary to weave the carpets by hand, in their own homes.
From the selection and processing of wool fibers to their death with natural pigments, everything was done by hand. Different techniques were used to make the pieces, which displayed impressive patterns.
Some designs also indicated where a weaver came from, as well as additional roles in community practices, such as at funerals, where the carpets symbolized someone's passage to the hereafter.
The techniques used in the weaving have changed, as some have moved from horizontal or vertical looms to tight picking and other forms. In villages, ladies learn the art from their grandmother or mother, while in cities, craft centers and associations, colleges and museums offer classes.
In addition to its role as an expression of creativity and a marker of identity, wall carpet craftsmanship is also seen as a tool to unite people of different backgrounds and generations.
It can be attributed to the technological expertise of many generations of working women in Romania, as well as their innovative incorporation of motifs and symbols circulating throughout Europe and beyond, that Romanian carpets maintain their originality, unity, and artistic value.
Currently in Romania heritage carrier communities have taken initiatives to revitalize carpet weaving. They are also involved with the completion of nomination lists. The carpet weaving centers are systematic in their efforts to recover old motifs and techniques to use in new weavings.
Many representatives of the community promote carpet craftsmanship by specializing in various activities: shepherds, wire processors in technical installations, weavers, dyers, teachers, cultural managers, and agrotourism operators.
By taking part in exhibitions and fairs, women weavers assimilate and transmit traditional artistic patterns to beneficiaries at home and abroad, organizing workshops for public and private beneficiaries, and catering to them.
In the past, weavers in Romania and Moldova produced wall carpets that served both as ornaments and insulation but were also used as dowries for brides.
During the second half of the 19th century, in some villages, specialized women weavers began to sell carpets in fairs to earn income. Many of the women in villages like Botiza and Bârsana, Tudora, Pipirig, and Ostroveni started doing all the processes necessary to weave the carpets by hand, in their own homes. From the selection and processing of wool fibers to their death with natural pigments, everything is done by hand.
Different techniques were used to make the pieces, which displayed impressive patterns. Some designs also indicated where a weaver came from, as well as additional roles in community practices, such as at funerals, where the carpets symbolized someone's passage to the hereafter. The techniques used in the weaving have changed, as some have moved from horizontal or vertical looms to tight picking and other forms.
In villages, ladies learn the art from their grandmother or mother, while in cities, craft centers and associations, colleges and museums offer classes. In addition to its role as an expression of creativity and a marker of identity, wall carpet craftsmanship is also seen as a tool to unite people of different backgrounds and generations.
It can be attributed to the technological expertise of many generations of working women in Romania, as well as their innovative incorporation of motifs and symbols circulating throughout Europe and beyond, that Romanian carpets maintain their originality, unity, and artistic value.
Currently in Romania heritage carrier communities have taken initiatives to revitalize carpet weaving. They are also involved with the completion of nomination lists. The carpet weaving centers are systematic in their efforts to recover old motifs and techniques to use in new weavings.
Many representatives of the community promote carpet craftsmanship by specializing in various activities: shepherds, wire processors in technical installations, weavers, dyers, teachers, cultural managers, and agrotourism operators.
By taking part in exhibitions and fairs, women weavers assimilate and transmit traditional artistic patterns to beneficiaries at home and abroad, organizing workshops for public and private beneficiaries, as well as catering to them. PR/safeguarding
The carpets were displayed at international exhibitions as a symbol of national identity. Today, wall carpets are usually appreciated as works of art for public and private spaces and are displayed at festivals and ceremonies.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-wall-carpet-craftsmanship-in-romania-and-the-republic-of-moldova-01167) (https://patrimoniu.ro/images/imaterial/Traditional-Wall-carpet-Craftsmanship-in-Romania.pdf) |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices |Country=Moldova, Romania |SDG=(04) Quality Education, (08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production, (16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions }}