Pirot kilims are made of high quality wool from Stara planina, they have beautiful motifs and ornaments, two identical sides and various symbols that carry different meanings.
These features make them one of the most famous Serbian brands. The process of making them is long and complex, but in the end you get a unique piece of art whose beauty and luxuriousness can be recognized around the world.
The four hundred years long tradition of kilim weaving is what made this town in eastern Serbia famous. Back in the day more than two thousand and five hundred women used to make their living out of this old craft and their handcraft was both well paid and held in high regard.
Nowadays that number has gone down to around thirty, the demand for kilims is lower and so is the income. All of these factors show that the women who still make kilims, do it out of pure love and dedication for the oldest, most beautiful and the purest national handcraft.
Fortunately the desire to carry on with the family tradition and to transfer the knowledge and experience from one generation to another prevailed. Weavers who make kilims nowadays, spend their time in small workshops surrounded by spindles and wool where they in pleasant atmosphere do what they enjoy the most. With the help of their knowledge and skilled fingers they make kilims that are even attributed with miraculous powers.
Nothing has changed in the way Pirot kilims are made, except for a slight modernization in the tools that are used. Kilims are still handmade in the old-fashioned way, using looms, wool and “tupica tool”. Great skill, proficiency and knowledge is required to weave these beautiful and high-quality handmade kilims.
Ninety-five motifs and one hundred and twenty-two ornaments have been protected by geographical indication. Symbols and meanings that kilims carry are numerous and so are the legends about the symbol of this city. There are kilims that are supposed to bring health, happiness, peace and prosperity, financial improvement, those for men and women and some that remove negative energy etc.
Long and complex procedure of kilim weaving begins with “snovanje” (the process of making a base of a kilim and coloring of threads). All threads must be of the same length and only the years of experience make it possible for the weaver to measure them accurately without a meter. Sometimes there is more than one weaver involved in the making of a kilim, making cooperation and teamwork very important.
When the threads are properly arranged, counted and tied, the base is moved to a loom where the making of a kilim begins. The threads are still carefully worked on and the kilim slowly begins to take shape and its future look begins to show. The unique feature of these kilims is that the both sides are identical. The beauty, color and symbolism of the motifs and ornaments that adorn them, made kilims from Pirot famous worldwide.
Weavers also work on restoration of kilims. This procedure is usually used on old and damaged kilims. In order to save the family heirloom, many people bring kilims that are more than one hundred years old. Those kilims are restored to their former glory using a special technique and the tradition is less likely to be forgotten, which is even of a greater importance.
Pirot kilims have been protected by geographical indication in 2002, which means they can only be made in this town. Only the kilims that have been made out of wool from Stara planina by the established rules and which have authentic patterns from this region can be called authentic Pirot kilims. When buying this product pay close attention to its trademark.
Production of Pirot kilims strengthens folk customs and the tradition lives on. Even though in a considerably smaller number, the new generations are taking interest in old crafts and they are trying to protect them from modernization. However, several things are required if we want to improve the kilim production. It needs to become a popular topic and it needs to be talked about, which will result in people learing more about kilims. Kilims should also be more appreciated and sought after.
Buy a kilim and always carry a part of Serbia with you!
If you happen to find yourself far away from your homeland and you feel the need to touch your own part of Serbia, be sure to bring a Pirot kilim with you. An old legend says that by doing so you will also bring a part of your country with you, which will always remind you of the things you experienced in Serbia. Kilims should be received as gifts from people we hold dear.
“All the people from Pirot who live abroad carry a kilim with them. They invite their bosses, supervisors and co-workers to Pirot, who always buy a small kilim as a gift for the people back home”, says Slavica Ćirić the director of “Damsko srce” cooperative in Pirot.
People from Serbia who live abroad, but also the foreigners who want a souvenir from Serbia are the usual buyers. They order and buy them via internet and when the kilim is done, it is sent directly to their home address. This allows them to have their part of Serbia with them, no matter where they are.
