Public institution
"Handicraft Guild" is implementing
the project "The Heritage of Vilnius
Handicrafts"
The project The Heritage of Vilnius Handicrafts is
relevant in trying to re-establish old handicraft traditions in today’s Vilnius,
as the expression of the urban culture left from the Great Duchy of Lithuania (GDL).
The revival of old traditions in Vilnius is important in developing cultural
tourism and trying to present Vilnius in the year of 2009 as the city of the old
European customs. This is the reason why the public institution “Handicraft
Guild” is ready for the project The Heritage of Vilnius Handicrafts,
which is dedicated to the live-giving for the oldest handicraft traditions of
Vilnius.
During the
project such aims will be
implemented:
I.To
unify all the open workshops working
in Vilnius, as well as craftsmen,
who do not have their studio, but
whose activities are similar to the
oldest handicrafts of Vilnius, and
also other interested establishments
which are producing more solid
handicrafts.
II.Organizing
historical mart of craftsmen called
St. Bartholomew’s fair, which
contains masquerade elements,
demonstration of different
traditional handicrafts of Vilnius,
and the stride of Vilnius craftsmen.
III.Publishing
of publication The Heritage of
Vilnius Handicrafts.
IV.Organization
of the educational events in the
historic places of Vilnius where the
oldest manufactures used to be.
For the project
The Heritage of Vilnius
Handicrafts the character of a
Master is being created, it will be
the sign emerging in publishing,
posters, invitations and web site
during the project. The costume of a
master will be made for a migrating
person who could be met in any place
of Vilnius, during the St.
Bartholomew’s fair, in the stride of
craftsmen, in modern and educational
events, as well as presenting the
historical places of Vilnius
manufacture. “The Master” will be
the face of the project unifying the
main aims and will help to be more
visible to every inhabitant and
guest of Vilnius.
In order to
implement solid project the
participants from the programme of
fine crafts, ethnographical
trades and fairs will be
invited, as well as the folk art
workshops, the craftsmen of Vilnius,
who do not have their studious but
cherish the oldest handicraft’s
traditions, and the establishments
of the solid crafts. The heritage of
Vilnius handicrafts, with the aim to
vitalize the names of oldest
handicrafts and oldest technologies,
will be presented in open workshops
of Vilnius, by posting the flags
made according to the examples of
Vilnius manufactures. We are also
planning to publish the edition full
of illustrations called “The
Heritage of Vilnius Handicrafts”.
Revitalizing the
oldest traditions of Vilnius
Handicrafts, particularly restoring
the old Tymas quarter, there is no
possibility to work in the original
its place, this is the reason, why
once in a month, during the year of
2009, the educational events will be
organized in the historical places
of Vilnius manufactures.
Historical St
Bartholomew’s fair of craftsmen
(takes place 21-22 August 2009 in
the Town Hall) will start with the
solemn stride of craftsmen exposing
copies of historical flags of
Vilnius manufactures, as well as
containing theatrical and masquerade
elements showing the tradition of
Vilnius musicians, vagabonds,
organizing games, mini performances,
referring to the old traditions of
the GDL times. During the fair
oldest handicrafts will be
presented, the oldest technologies
will be revealed, the opportunity to
see fine and solid ethnographical
crafts will be given. We will invite
representatives of different
national minorities (Karaites,
Tartars, and Jews) to the fair. In
this way the whole range of Vilnius
multiculturalism will be revealed.
The rare opportunity to see the
extinct crafts will be given, for
example tapestry weaving, tin
moulding, curriery, crafts producing
brass and copper cauldrons, bells,
armourer’s work.
The project
The Heritage of Te Vilnius
Handicrafts will encourage the
wide society and the guests of the
city to see Vilnius as the
historical and multicultural
capital, as well as modern and
dynamic space, where creative
people, reconstructing the past,
builds the future of the Vilnius
city.
