Bobbin lace from Gemer has been included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Slovakia, becoming one of 50 elements and practices included in this list.
The public can get to know the traditional craft as part of the County Days of the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK).
The northeastern part of Gemer is especially known for the production and use of bobbin lace. The villages in the valley of the Slaná River, such as Rejdová, Vyšná Slaná, Vlachovo, Gočovo, Nižná Slaná or Gemerská Poloma, have been known for their lacemaking since the 17th and 18th centuries.
"Bobbin lace from Gemer is one of the treasures of our region. It is not only a work of art, but also evidence of the rich cultural tradition left to us by our ancestors," stated the chairman of the KSK Rastislav Trnka.
Lace from Gemer is characterized mainly by its wealth of technical elements. It is knitted from linen, hemp and cotton threads, and mainly plant motifs such as stylized flowers, chalices or wreaths are used. Most of the lace was white in the past, and was used for room dividers, for death veils, and on shelves.
Since the 20th century, Gemer lacemakers have begun to specialize mainly in bobbin lacemaking, and it is cap lace that is the bearer of the artistic qualities of old Gemer lace. Products of bobbin lace from Gemer are recognized as the Regional Product of the Košice Region and the Traditional Product of the Košice Region Gemer.
The brand holders are members of the Bobbin Lace Club, which has been operating for 25 years within the Gemer Educational Center. Bobbin lace from Gemer will also be presented as part of the County Days, which will take place on May 16 in Michalovce and May 23 in Košice.
Source: TASR
