Swedish Weaving School
Arriving in Vlasti, you come across the Swedish Weaving School, a place that carries a unique history of creativity and tradition. The school was founded in 1963 by the Swedish humanitarian organization Individual Människohjälp (IM), with the aim of providing women in this mountain community with the opportunity to gain professional training and financial independence. A few years later, in 1965, the well-known School building was constructed (the so-called “Swedish factory”), which became a model workshop for weaving and handicrafts across Western Macedonia.
There, modern looms –considering the era’s standards– were introduced, and the women of Vlasti were trained in weaving techniques, dry processing, and decoration, while also showcasing local motifs and traditional regional designs. The products created –rugs, wall hangings, tablecloths, fabrics, and home décor items– were mainly exported abroad. The “factory” operated for about 25 years, until the late 1980s, when its management was handed over to the local community. It remained silent for decades, as if waiting for the moment it would come back to life. Today, after its restoration by the University of Western Macedonia, the site is coming alive again, with the aim of preserving traditional crafts and highlighting the cultural heritage of the region.
