Mastering the Tradition: the Haapsalu model of lace master-making

• In Event: Historical Perspectives on Baltic Leisure and Recreation

Abstract

This presentation is designed for discussing part of the findings from my PhD thesis on the “exclusivity”, “virtuosity” and “longevity” elements in the Haapsalu lace knitting tradition. There are three (out of five) symbolic themes presented here: (1) the “exclusivity” theme elaborates key points of the high quality of Haapsalu lace products in the contexts of lace-knitting as heritage crafts; (2) the “virtuosity” theme explains why Haapsalu lace is being highly valued in Haapsalu/Estonian cultural contexts, and how heritage crafts survive through various historical circumstances; (3) the “longevity” theme shows that a healthy cultural ecosystem is the key to ensure heritage crafts being protected and carried onto the next generation, from which a “Haapsalu model” is proposed by the author. The presentation is based on ethnographic data collected for the PhD project, including visual materials, field observation notes, and in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Short Bio

Sophie Qiaoyun Peng is a textile historian specialised in lace, knitting, cultural semiotics theory, intangible cultural heritage in the Nordic-Baltic zone. In her PhD thesis (2023, CEES/History, University of Glasgow), she used qualitative ethnographic data together with archival materials to explore the meanings of hand-knitted woollen lace and its roles in constructing and shaping local identities in Shetland (Scotland) and Haapsalu (Estonia). Sophie Peng is now serving on committee for The Nordic-Baltic Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage. She has previously held visiting PGR fellowships at the University of Helsinki (Aleksanteri Institute) and the University of Tartu (Ethnology). Sophie Peng’s current academic affiliation is with the University of Glasgow (Glasgow Baltic Research Unit).

Author

• Sophie Qiaoyun Peng, University of Glasgow