PATTERNS! is an ERASMUS+ project between Romanian, Polish, Estonian and Finnish cultural heritage organization and foundations. During this project these partner institutions and non-governmental organizations will learn about the methods of conducting educational activities with their partners. They will share knowledge and learn about good practices of education and popularization of art and textile heritage and using online tools, which in crises such as the current pandemic are essential for reaching out to the community.

The project will look at the differences and similarities in fabric design in the period of the second half of the 20th century in different parts of Europe. Inhabitants of the cities where the partner institutions come from will be able to connect with the wider European cultural, industrial and textile heritage of the 20th century as well as with the local history through the partner institutions and organizations.

During this project the partner organizations will visit each other to network and strengthen the international connections and cooperation between our cultural heritage organizations.We are planning to develop know-how, collegial cohesion, and an increase of expertise in the field of European textile production traditions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the collection and digital practices of textile museums and to create a discussion platform on which to collaborate.

The project is attended by:

• Fundacja Dom from Bialystok, Poland
• Comunitatea Armana din Romania - filiala Bucuresti from Bucharest, Romania
• Galeria im. Sleńdzińskich from Bialystok, Poland
• Forssa museum from Forssa, Finland
• SA Narva Muuseum, from Narva, Estonia

On 16-20. March, employees of Narva Museum visited Poland as part of the ERASMUS+ project, where they studied the national textile heritage. The Polish colleagues told about the history of Fasty fabrics, introduced the unique collection of homespun carpets in Hajnówka, and invited participants to the Supraśl High School of Art, where creative talents are being born. Participants were able to express themselves in exciting workshops on applying patterns to fabrics, composing drawings with backgrounds and modern tie-dye techniques.

Museum workers from Romania, Poland, Finland and Estonia shared their experience in preserving and maintaining the textile heritage of their countries, finding much in common both in the global history of the textile industry and in amazing small details: the similarity of national patterns, drawing methods, hand-woven carpet weaving techniques. Everything seen and heard gives hope that almost forgotten or partially lost textile traditions are gradually coming back into fashion, and interest towards the history of own roots is attracting more and more attention, causing respect for the national cultural heritage.