PRESS RELEASE FROM ASTRID LINDGRENS NÄS
New exhibition at Astrid Lindgrens Näs:
A Tribute to the Swedish Rag Rug
Eva Tufte Valentes rag rug collection
Tjolahopp tjolahej! is an exhibition of and about rag rugs in all their glory. Old new, short,
long, simple, dark, light, colourful, old and new. Made for everyday life and for
celebrations, for Christmas and Easter, for kitchens, fine rooms and bedrooms.
In the exhibition, where you can see more than 200 rag rugs, you can learn about the
history of the rag rugs and about weaving techniques, patterns and the material used for
weaving. But you can also try to weave by yourself and children can design their own rag
rug.
Rag rugs are a part of Swedish cultural history. Creativity, craftsmanship and recycling at its
best! We can be proud of the fabulous rag rugs that have been created over the years and
which are still being woven. Many rag rugs are so beautiful, they ought to be hung on walls
as pieces of art.
For more than 200 years beautiful rag rugs have decorated the wooden floors of homes in
Sweden. Generations of women have woven rag rugs in rich traditional patterns and colours.
Rag rugs were woven from material that was left over in the homes: worn-out clothes,
curtains, sheets, upholstery, and weaving skills were passed down from mother to daughter
The art of weaving rag rugs says much about what human life is also about: transforming
experiences and memories into dreams, letting that which had been left over or has been
perceived, survive into future generations. A valuable document of women's creativity and
artistic abilities.
The craft of weaving rag rugs is completely in sync with today's lincreased focus on recycling,
here combined with creativity. The old rugs in Eva Tufte valentes collection hold memories
of times long gone. The hours, thoughts and hard work laid in weaving these rugs makes
them ”time capsules”.
In th exhibition, which shows more than 200 rag rugs, you can learn about the history of the
rugs, and about different weaving techniques, patterns and the material, that the rugs are
made of. You can also participate interactively by weaving in the ”guest loom”, and all
children can take part in a design contest, where the winner will have his or her own rug
woven ”for real”.
Eva Tufte Valente is 50 years old and Danish, but she has her roots in Småland. She lives in
Lädja, Småland. Five years ago she changed a hectic Copenhagen life for a rural life in
Småland and the rag rugs.
Eva Tufte Valente has a large collection of rag rugs, which she also sells all over the world
through her company ”Svenska Trasmattor”. She buys her vintage/second hand rugs in
private homes. This also gives her the opportunity to meet many interesting people and to
see many wonderful places.
She also has a network of active weavers that produce new rag rugs. Sadly, weaving rag rugs
by hand is a tradition which is slowly disappearing, although thankfully this will not hapen
suddenly, and there are still young people who are trained as weavers and who enjoy
working in a loom.
The exhibition runs from September 21st to November 10th 2013. On Octber 12th we will
celebrate a ”Traskalas” (Rag Feast) where active weavers from Småland will come and
show/sell their new woven rag rugs!
Opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday 11am – 3pm.
For more information, please contact:
Cilla Nergårdh, head of marketing at Astrid Lindgrens Näs, cilla.nergardh@vimmerby.se
Tel. 070-309 95 87/0492-76 95 87
Website: www.astridlindgrensnas.se