Valtopina - September 3, 4 & 5, 2010

If you're going to be anywhere near Assisi in September of this year, you should definitely make a detour to Valtopina which is less than 20km further east.

On September 3rd, 4th and 5th Valtopina will host the 12th annual show of hand embroidery, lace and artisan weaving, this year called: Ricamare l'Umbria [Embroider Umbria]. The theme this year is Medieval Embroidery at the Table, inspired by the decorative elements of Medieval Umbria depicted in the frescos of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. If you go to the website of the sponsoring Embroidery School Filo-Filo, you can download two different pdf files of photos of details from the frescos mentioned above. Click on the two sunflowers labeled "Assisi 1" and "Assisi 2". These photos are provided as inspiration for potential exhibitors.

All entries (designs for a tablecloth setting of six) must to be submitted to the embroidery school Filo-Filo by July 31st and there are six categories of prizes. Wouldn't it be amazing to see the display?

Besides the embroidery exhibition, there will also be booths of various exhibitors of lace, embroidery and woven textiles as well as vendors selling all-things related. Throughout the show there will be demonstrations and instructional embroidery courses, lectures and presentations. In addition, at various other locations there will be theme-related activities like at the Museum of Embroidery and Textiles, the local Youth Centre, Sports Arena and other places. For times and locations, you can download the brochure (text in Italian - click on "Visualizza il Dépliant").

Clicking here will take you to some photos of past exhibitions (make sure to click on the photos to get a closer look). There are also the 2009 design winners on the lower part of this page here. There are some pictures of the 2007 exhibition here. More photos from the 2005, 2008 and 2009 shows here.

I'm hoping that someone will send me photos of this year's show (if they are allowed to take them) so I can post an update in September after the show!