The flax industry

Flax is a traditional natural material that requires a specific method of processing. The typical textile production is both very interesting and fascinating in many respects. Flax fibres were among the most significant textile raw materials. The skill required to process them, as well as to cultivate the flax provided a means of living and clothing for generations of our ancestors across centuries. Flax processing and the flax industry in general enjoyed their greatest popularity during the period of the First Republic. Since then, the area of sown land and the overall cultivation of flax has gradually disappeared. There are now only a handful of people who are still involved in the traditional flax industry and as such are keeping one of our very interesting traditions alive.

Mr Fidler of Hlinsko is one such person who works to preserve the tradition of flax cultivation in the enchanting facilities at the Outdoor Museum in Veselý Kopec, where he also organises guided tours for the public during the flax processing season. Yet another technology which Josef Fidler has saved and given new life to involves the completely unique production of handwoven chenille.  This is the only place in the Czech Republic and even in Europe where chenille is produced precisely according to a patented method dating from 1890. The manual production of, for example, one scarf is no simple or speedy matter.  It takes approximately two whole days to create one scarf.

Thanks to his interest in this field, he has also assisted in reviving an almost disappeared production technology from the 19^th century. This involves unique hand-woven chenille. This technology has been entered in the "Register of intangible cultural property of the folk culture of the Czech Republic”, which has thus transformed chenille into a cultural monument. This fabric has a number of special properties and can be used to create scarves, shawls, throws or mats. Mr Fidler is also able to hand weave acrylic or cotton scarves and shawls.