The lagoon island, Burano, has always been identified with the art of lace making. "A tradition of the highest artistic craftsmanship for which," stresses Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, "the request for Unesco recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is in the pipeline. A recognition destined to revalue and enhance this refined production, which identifies its origins precisely in Venice."
From June 14, at the Lace Museum, opened in 1981 in the historic palazzetto of the Podestà of Torcello, in Piazza Galuppi in Burano, two concomitant initiatives, united under the name of "The Thread of the Heart" turn the spotlight on this ancient tradition, bringing it back to the present day.
It should be remembered that the Lace Museum occupies what, from 1872 to 1970, was the headquarters of the famous Burano lace school founded by Countess Adriana Marcello. In an evocative setting, which also brings the polychromy typical of the island inside the Museum, rare and precious specimens are displayed, offering a complete overview of the historical and artistic vicissitudes of Venetian and lagoon lace from its origin to the present day.
An application for UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is in the pipeline.
"The Thread of the Heart" identifies a now unmissable event that begins on the very day when we remember the passing of the 100-year-old Master Lacemaker Emma Vidal. It is the tenth edition of the National Competition " Un Merletto per Venezia" (A Lace for Venice), which offers the best of what Italy still manages to create only with the skill of hands in weaving threads. The initiative, organized and promoted with collaboration with the Andriana Marcello Foundation, opens an interesting chapter especially because it is intended for the enhancement of this particular creative type today more than ever aimed at the contemporary both as a language and as an object of art and not only of use.
In fact, the Competition, which has been accredited for years, is a point of reference for Italian lace producers and above all represents an important opportunity to compare and find connections with other traditions. "More and more the need is emerging to clear lace towards a creation untied to use but aimed at expressiveness as an end in itself. The works in the competition will be exhibited as always in the Museum and will be a translation of the theme "E lucean le stelle," which will see applications in both ancient and modern styles for both needle and bobbin lace," says Chiara Squarcina, Area Director of Museum Activities.
The exhibition of competition entries will also be accompanied by an exhibition of antique lace, which will provide an opportunity to showcase some ancient artifacts and also some specimens created just by the Burano Lace School.
From April to September, once a month, on a Friday, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo will host " Fridays of Lace "
From Burano, to the historic center of Venice. From April to September, once a month, on Friday day, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo will welcome "The Fridays of Lace ". On this occasion, master lace makers from Burano and those from Pellestrina will take turns to give demonstrations of both needle and bobbin lace making.
"The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia," emphasizes its President Mariacristina Gribaudi, "has always paid great attention to the so-called Minor Arts, proposing moments of exhibition and in-depth study of international caliber. Today more than ever there is a particular interest in Italian lace, which in this period is the subject of international recognition as an intangible asset by UNESCO."