lace-making: a dying art – crochet not quite on its last legs…

by Louisa O'Brien for Inside & Out - Aegina

When Aegina briefly became the capital of newly liberated Greece, in 1828, philhellenes from all over the world flocked to the island. One of these was the wife of the Belgian Consul, Lady Egerton. As a step to help the island’s standard of living, she founded a school to teach lace-making to the local women at Harilao Trikoupi’s house in Faros.  At first the school was not supported by the State and various patrons contributed to its running, but when the monarchy was established, Queen Amalia took over all the schools. (There is still an Amaleian Foundation in Athens).

The type of lace made in Aegina was similar to Brussels lace as started by Lady Egerton, but the Aegina craftswomen soon made a name for themselves with their extra delicate cobwebby lace work and the craft boomed, with most households making lace for their own use or for sale. Of an evening, the summer streets would be filled with groups of women sitting around with their lace-cushions (kousouni) on the knees. The skill was passed on from mother to daughter, but as so many valuable skills, it is dying out on the island. Those who still practice it make it for their own use, although, happily, there are still young women who want to learn the art, and those with a passion to teach it.

The Aegina Women’s Collective, which has flourished for the past 30 years on the island, has held lace-making courses in the winters, and the president, Mrs Maria Margaroni, often spends her free evenings teaching it to those eager to learn – so that “the art will not be lost.”

Although most Companelli is made for special occasion home use, it is still possible to find ladies who will make it to order. Naturally, it is not cheap as it is time-consuming, but it is unique and very, very beautiful. To order, please call Kyria Anna, tel: 22970-53908/54050

The Women’s Collective also give talks on all kinds of different subjects, on many of the local crafts and skills as well as teaching, for the last 18 years, many different types of Greek traditional dances. All are welcome – although understanding Greek is vital – please call either Mrs Margaroni on the telephone number above, or Mrs Flora Alyfantis, of Flora’s Bookshop, on 22970-24337.

Just down the road from the Cathedral, at 2, Mitropoleos, tel. 22970-24178, a beautiful little shop called Ergohiero (Handiwork) has stood for the past 25 years, supplying threads, embroidery silks, wools, patterns etc. It was opened by Mrs Anna Tourotoglou when she returned to her birthplace of Aegina, after living in Piraeus and Athens. The shop glows with the love and care she and her sister bestow on it – the coloured silks shine, the shelves are full of soft bright wools. Only Greek wool used to be sold there, which is of a much better quality and moth-resistant, but due to the closures in the industry in Greece, most of the wool is now either from France or Italy. If you search though, you can still find Greek wool on her shelves. In the shop window are examples of local crochet-work which Mrs Anna and her friends have made. They find the patterns they like in magazines, or they make them up themselves. Young women are still interested in the craft and like Mrs Margaroni, Mrs Anna likes to interest and help the new generation to learn, whenever possible. Another form of crochet-work is “Cofto” (Cut), which is often used for tablecloths. This is usually done by machine these days, but Mrs. Sula still does it by hand to order. Again, of course, this is not cheap. Multi-coloured bootees hang up against the door, both for children and adults, and can be made to order, as can all knitted goods which are made by hand by Mrs Anna and her friends. You just decide on the pattern and the wool, and presto! A unique and beautiful article you can be sure no-one else is wearing!

For more information please contact::

The Women’s Collective:	Mrs Flora Alyfantis, of Flora’s Bookshop Telefone: (+30) 22970 24337.
To order Copanelli:	Kyria Anna, Telefone: (+30) 22970 53908 or 54050
Copanelli shop:	Ergohiero (Handiwork) 2, Mitropoleos Telefone: (+30) 22970 24178