DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22262#0109
ANN RESARE
The Skansen Museum, Stockholm
SWEDISH SHAWLS AND KERCHIEFS
AND THEIR RELATIONS TO POLISH TEXTILES
In traditional farming society, people's everyday dress consisted of clothes they pro-
duced themselves. For special days and holidays, however, bought fabrics were of-
ten used for the various components of dress.
In Sweden, folk costumes are still used on festive occasions. Nowadays, it is fairly
common to find them worn at weddings, midsummer celebrations and private oc-
casions, in towns and the country alike. But across the ages, people would wear folk
costume with a varying fancy. Its status has defmitely been raised by our present
Swedish ąueen, Silvia, who often appears dressed in folk costume on official occa-
sions. It has become an alternative to other forms of festive dress.
Skansen was the first open-air museum in the world and was founded by Artur
Hazelius in 1891. He had buildings brought from the countryside across Sweden
down to Skansen on the island of Djurgarden, Stockholm. The buildings were then
re-assembled and furnished with usual objects. He employed people who had lo-
cal connections to tell visitors about life in their particular district and he clothed
them in the local costume.
Hazelius' idea was brilliant, and Skansen has lived on this genial concept for 112
years. The important thing about the museum idea of Skansen is that the build-
ings should come alive. Those acting as hosts are dressed in clothes matching the
time and original location of the buildings they show.
Skansen's Costume Collection dresses some 800 people a year in clothes reproduced
from authentic historical examples.
A series of events take place every year. One of those I like best is the International
Folk Costume Day, when Skansen invites members of immigrant communities to
come in costume, show their handcrafts, and dance. When we collect all of them
Swedes, Poles, Czechs, Russians and Finns, they come in similar flowery kerchiefs
107
The Skansen Museum, Stockholm
SWEDISH SHAWLS AND KERCHIEFS
AND THEIR RELATIONS TO POLISH TEXTILES
In traditional farming society, people's everyday dress consisted of clothes they pro-
duced themselves. For special days and holidays, however, bought fabrics were of-
ten used for the various components of dress.
In Sweden, folk costumes are still used on festive occasions. Nowadays, it is fairly
common to find them worn at weddings, midsummer celebrations and private oc-
casions, in towns and the country alike. But across the ages, people would wear folk
costume with a varying fancy. Its status has defmitely been raised by our present
Swedish ąueen, Silvia, who often appears dressed in folk costume on official occa-
sions. It has become an alternative to other forms of festive dress.
Skansen was the first open-air museum in the world and was founded by Artur
Hazelius in 1891. He had buildings brought from the countryside across Sweden
down to Skansen on the island of Djurgarden, Stockholm. The buildings were then
re-assembled and furnished with usual objects. He employed people who had lo-
cal connections to tell visitors about life in their particular district and he clothed
them in the local costume.
Hazelius' idea was brilliant, and Skansen has lived on this genial concept for 112
years. The important thing about the museum idea of Skansen is that the build-
ings should come alive. Those acting as hosts are dressed in clothes matching the
time and original location of the buildings they show.
Skansen's Costume Collection dresses some 800 people a year in clothes reproduced
from authentic historical examples.
A series of events take place every year. One of those I like best is the International
Folk Costume Day, when Skansen invites members of immigrant communities to
come in costume, show their handcrafts, and dance. When we collect all of them
Swedes, Poles, Czechs, Russians and Finns, they come in similar flowery kerchiefs
107