At the beginning of this month, Laurie Waters told her subscribers about the 22nd Seto Lace Days in Estonia. Busy with much outside work, I managed to take a look at some sites and actually make a special Estonia binder of wonderful information (not the first, by-the-way). The following is for travelers and those interested in ethnic laces and embroideries. Seto Farm Museum http://www.setomuuseum.ee/content/view/56/86/ Year of Events: Finno-Urgic Capitals of Culture 2015, Obinitsa Setomaa http://obinitsa.net/home.3/ The list of activities might inspire lace programs near you. 22nd Seto Lace Days - May 5-26, 2015. Theme: Seto Lace for interior decoration - Seto pitsi sisekujunduses http://www.kogo.ee Click on Seto pitsi paevade pildid - for photos Note that the word "pitsi", or a variation thereof, translates to "lace" in much of Eastern Europe. Folk Costume & Embroidery (includes Lace) The Best of all these Sites! http://folkcostume.blogspot.com/2013/05/costume-and-embroidery-of-seto-eston ia.html If you read my old memos about Goddess Embroidery research by Mary B. Kelly, you know that the symbols used in embroidery go beyond the definition of "traditional" to have real meanings, and where they are placed on old costumes is important. It is a fascinating subject to study, and we can see that embroidery symbols have been copied in lace. Most "traditional" patterns of women in full skirts represent Goddesses to whom women prayed before organized religions developed. When statues and carvings were destroyed by Crusaders, women took to their needles and stitched them on ceremonial towels, etc. You'll find them all over the world! Even in things men have made! They didn't usually know the design origins of what they were weaving in carpets, for example. See our archives, if interested: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/index.html My first trip to an OIDFA Congress was about 20 years ago. One group of women - those from Estonia - wore their national costumes every day. It was impressive. Though, some might say denim was the dominant costume of the rest of the nations! Quite a contrast, and a strong proud statement from Estonian lacemakers. The Seto are a special ethnic group of about 15,000 within Estonia. Their persistent struggles to keep their heritage alive is impressive from a group so small. You will see there is a similarity in dress styles of many Eastern European peoples, if you are familiar with others. Search "Seto-Estonian Americans" for additional information. My over-arching mission is to preserve and encourage research about the women lacemakers and embroiderers who came before us. That explains the large library, supporting files, and collection here in Maine. Hope this will inspire you to do in-depth on-site research, wherever you are located. Try to document the outstanding things you make for future generations. Embroideries are easier to "sign and date", but you'll find a way! Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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