The Lastovke bobbin lacemaking group from Cerklje na Gorenjskem is successfully led by Lojzka Mrgole. To mark World Lace Day, which they celebrated on Sunday, 23 June, the group gave a joint demonstration of bobbin lacemaking in front of Petrovc House in the centre of Cerklje. A total of 12 members took part. In doing so, they joined many places across Slovenia, as well as places in 65 countries around the world, that marked the day with similar events. The lacemakers created exquisite lace between 9.30 and 12.00. A considerable number of visitors from near and far watched the lacemaking demonstration in front of Petrovc House. The Cerklje lacemakers are taught by their mentors Zdenka Zajc and Majda Mazi. “Fine lace is therefore a work of applied art. It can enrich our lives, our homes, our clothes and all kinds of textile products, and it can also make an exceptionally beautiful gift,” said Lojzka Mrgole, president of the Lastovke Cerklje lacemaking group.
This year the Lastovke lacemaking group is celebrating its 15th anniversary and has 25 members. Founded in September 2009, the section brings together lacemakers from the municipality of Cerklje and neighbouring municipalities. They meet for group practice every Monday from 18.00 to 20.00, from September until the end of May. On the second weekend in September, the lacemakers hold their annual exhibition in the Petrovc House Gallery, and during the exhibition they will demonstrate how bobbin lace is made. They will also exhibit their work at the Kranj library from October until 4 November. Lace can be described as a symbol of Slovenian cultural tradition and is one of the most recognisable elements of Slovenia’s cultural heritage. Bobbin lacemaking in Slovenia is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Text and photo: Janez Kuhar, Cerklje, 23 June 2024
