Latvian handcrafts in the old tradition

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 6

Latvian handcrafts in the old tradition

Latvian handcrafts, dating back 700 years, originated during community activities in the cold, dark winter afternoons and evenings, acI cording to Mrs M. Gavars of the Christchurch Latvian Society. Mrs Gavars was commenting on the Latvian arts and crafts being displayed by the society at the Building Centre at the moment. She said she thought the present revival in arts and crafts had occurred along with communal living and the trend back to nature. “With the advent of television and radio we no

longer had to find ways to occupy our evenings,” she said. “Now, however, people ■are going back to the old way. “I have to smile at this group therapy that the psychiatrists use these days. “This is what our people had every time they got together to do their embroidery or woodwork and have a singsong. “The children went along too and played together. There did not seem to be any generation gap.” The Latvian Society in Christchurch tries to retain some of the old traditions by meeting once a month to work on their crafts and have a singsong. The exhibition includes

work done by members of the society, mostly for their own use. Mrs Gavars’s speciality is drawn thread work which gives a lace effect to tablecloths, mats and clothing, in this case national costumes. Mrs Gavars made the costume she was wearing by hand. She said it. was always a woman’s priade in Latvia to make her own costume. The one she was wearing would have been worn for day wear about 600 or 700 years ago. Other items on display include embroidery on cushions and rugs, weaving, knitting, woodwork and copper work.

Mrs Gavars’s husband does the copper work. He ■brought his skill from Latvia but went to evening college in New Zealand to learn more about it. He will be demonstrating his art from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow and next Thursday and Friday. Mrs V. Clemins, who organised the exhibition, will be demonstrating hand weaving. The exhibition will be open until October 13.