Mykonos Project Brings Ancient Weaving Techniques to a New Generation

Mykonos is highlighting its centuries-old weaving tradition and the women who kept the craft alive through a cultural heritage programme exploring how the ancient art can evolve in the 21st century.

The programme, titled The Revival of the Ancient Greek Art of Weaving in 21st-Century Mykonos, was implemented by the Mykonos Folklore Collection with funding from Cycladic Identity, an initiative of the Museum of Cycladic Art.

Its central project was the production of a documentary titled The Thread of the World, which traces the island’s weaving tradition through traditional techniques, tools and the processes involved in producing yarn and woven textiles.

The documentary gives particular prominence to the testimonies of older Mykonian women weavers, who share personal stories and memories of their craft. Their accounts reveal the importance of weaving in household and family life, as well as the ingenuity and creativity of the women who preserved the tradition.

The film also explores weaving’s contribution to Mykonos’ early tourism development and the popularity of Mykonian textiles beyond the island. It connects the traditional craft with the island’s economic and social development while examining its potential to take on new forms through contemporary creative practices.

The documentary The Thread of the World is available through the Cycladic Identity website.

Ancient-Style Loom Recreated

The programme also produced a wooden, upright vertical loom based on an ancient design. Its construction and operation allow researchers and visitors to examine an ancient weaving technique in practice and understand how the loom functioned.

For centuries, weaving formed an integral part of everyday and economic life on Mykonos. Families produced clothing, bed linen and dowry textiles on looms, passing knowledge and techniques primarily from woman to woman and from one generation to the next.

Selecting and processing raw materials, spinning yarn, setting up the loom, and creating patterns and colours formed part of a lengthy process closely connected with local society, the island’s identity and family life.

Programme Presented to Mykonos Community

Organisers presented the programme to the local community through a two-day series of events.

The first day featured the documentary’s premiere at CINE MANTO. The screening included presentations by archaeologist Dr Angeliki Kosmopoulou, archaeologist Maria Koutsoubou, and social anthropologist and Panteion University assistant professor Despina Nazou.

Their different academic perspectives highlighted weaving as a historical practice, an integral part of local social life and a field of contemporary creativity.

On the second day, organisers presented the ancient-style wooden loom to primary and secondary school students at the Mykonos Folklore Museum.

Under the guidance of contemporary weaver Faii Chatzi, students explored the history of weaving and learned about its various stages.

The initiative aimed to introduce younger generations to weaving not simply as a technique from the past, but as a skill that people can pass on and develop today.

Cycladic Identity Supports Cultural Heritage

Cycladic Identity is an initiative of the Museum of Cycladic Art that aims to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the Cyclades while preserving and promoting the islands’ distinctive identity.

The initiative focuses on three priority areas: Culture, Biodiversity and Intangible Cultural Heritage. It operates as a platform for attracting and distributing funding to projects implemented by organisations active across the islands.

To date, Cycladic Identity has supported 26 projects across 15 Cycladic islands and plans to announce another 10 projects shortly.

(Source: AMNA)

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