Damsko srce Rug Weaving Workshop Pirot
The „Damsko srce“ Cooperative in center of Pirot is workshop which manufactures hand-woven rugs that is successfully run by lady Slavica Ciric who highly respects the ancient motifs and messages that are as old as the human civilization. Motifs and patterns on the rugs hand-woven in this unique rug hand-weaving workshop in Pirot even today feature meanings that exceed the scientific ratio as they have been created in the time when there was no science, and their combination tell stories to those who wish to understand them…. Slavica and weaver members of the Damsko srce Cooperative in Pirot faithfully respect and implement knowledge, skills, strong will and faith and spiritual strength to sustain in aims for which they have been established – protection and preservation of the Pirot Rug legacy which is product with geographic origin and premium part of the cultural heritage of the Serbian people, unique in the world.
Slavica is creative director and the main weaver of the Damsko srce Cooperative workshop, precious expert and tireless researcher on diversity of colors, patterns, motifs and meanings of the Pirot rugs. MRS Slavica Ćirić tells visitors uniquely attractive data on the Pirot weaving techniques that make extraordinary cultural-historical and artistic value that is also the highest level of the textile creativity of Serbia. The Pirot Rug weaving is more than a product featuring decorative and utility values, it deeply reaches the past of the earliest communities which has been improved through centuries and millennia from fabric and had gained personal features in creation of patterns, when from the craftsman product it had turned into the artistic and national product which is recognized in the world by its quality and beauties. The Pirot Rug is not what our eyes see, it is energy and mystery that many try to discover….
Rug weaving is much more than skills and craftsmanship because rugs of the Damsko srce workshop are performed without any preparation draft, but exclusively by deep forethought and contemplation in creation of patterns and motifs amazingly convey significant values, knowledges and symbols of Serbia and the Serbhood.
In the territory of Serbia, the Pirog rug makes the most sumptuous and the most perfect weaving creativity. Possessing the Pirot Rug and its bestowal provides prestige in society. Wherever you are, you are blessed when you have a Pirot rug by you, as it will always be part of Serbia given that Pirot rug is authentic product of Serbia. Pirog rug is famous in the world for its beauty and quality, the weaving techniques, wool from the Pirot area out of which it is woven, by the loom on which it is woven, and by stylized ornaments, richness of patterns and colors, and its longevity and for its two-sides faces and no reverse, by the fact that is always woven in one portion without merging, and by its tiny and gentle motifs and large density of patterns in a single square where patterns determine own stories and meanings, making the Pirot Rug a peculiar cuneiform text.
The rug overgrew from the simple fabric into a work of art and became the visual symbol of the town of Pirot, and in time also the Serbian national symbol. It is guardian of the Serbian identity and the valuable cultural heritage of the Serbian people, as well as the national and artistic masterpiece on which testify prizes and awards from international exhibitions. The first foreign presentation of Pirog Rug was in Budapest in 1881, and soon later in 1886 in Vien when it was exposed in the International selling exhibition when it gained amazement and highly attracted attention. In the World exhibition in France in Paris in 1888, the Pirot weavers performed hand weaving in front of the visitors that was the true attraction of that time. In Paris was held the selling exhibition in 1900. Rugs were exposed in Athens in 1903, and in Petrograd in 1904, and in Liege in 1905, and in Milan in 1906, and in London in 1907 when they were awarded with the Grand Prix. There is no continent where the Pirot Rug was not exhibited, and it was recorded that in 1906 in Pirot there was 5000 women population engaged in weaving. At that time it was the largest informal factory in the Balkans, but also in Europe.
The rug is visual symbol of town of Pirot, and in time it became also the national symbol, and the guardian of the Serbian identity, as well as the valuable cultural inheritance of the Serbian people. By decision of the National Committee for intangible cultural heritage of Republic of Serbia from 18th of June 2012, the Pirot Rug was inscribed in the list of the Intangible cultural heritage of Republic of Serbia.
We are excited about the exceptional cooperation with the Damsko srce Cooperative in Pirot, and grateful for the warm friendship with Slavica Ciric who by her unbeatable energy and immense love for the heritage enables our guests to enjoy in learning about the secrets and beauties of the Pirot Rugs.
