Field workshops “Podlaskie Weaving Trail”

We invite you to celebrate together and embark on a journey along the Podlasie weaving trail.

The National Weaver/Weaver Day, which falls at the beginning of October, is a unique opportunity to learn more about the richness and diversity of traditional weaving techniques, discover the beauty of motifs and patterns, and above all meet people who passionately cherish and pass on this part of the local heritage. Following the example of previous years, the Podlaski Institute of Culture in Białystok invites you to celebrate together and embark on a journey along the Podlasie weaving trail, which this year will lead us south. We will visit two unique workshops where local weaving traditions are nurtured, disseminated and promoted with commitment.

The first stop will be the Stanisława Baj Weaving Workshop in Hruda, where weaving traditions of southern Podlasie are cultivated, in particular the art of making perebor — intricate weaving ornaments used to decorate linen shirts, aprons and towels. During the visit we will get to know this extremely demanding technique from the ground up — starting from the process of processing linen to accounting and choosing a pattern on a weaving loom.

We will also take part in workshops of small forms of weaving on frames. The meeting with the weavers associated with the workshop will be an opportunity to learn about their creative path, inspiration and history behind the intricately created fabrics.

From the Stanisława Baj Studio in Hruda we will go to the Municipal Centre of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Kleszczele “Hładyszka”. It is an extraordinary place where culture, local history and tradition meet contemporary artistic creation. One of the important directions of activity of the center is the reproduction and popularization of weaving traditions, which is possible thanks to the dynamically operating studio, which we will have the opportunity to visit. In Hładyszka we will meet a folk artist associated with the region, weaver Marta Barbara Bajko, who will talk about her work related to the documentation and reproduction of the local weaving tradition.

Cost of workshops: 150 PLN

Those who wish to embark on a journey along the Podlasie weaving trail are invited to register via the application form:

Application form — click to fill

Schedule:

10 October 2026 (Saturday)

07:15 — Collection at the parking lot (Plac Jana Paweł II/Branicki Palace, Białystok)

07:30 — Departure from Białystok towards Hrud

10:30 — 14:30 — Field workshop in Hrud (Hrud 121, 21-500 Hrud)

14:30 — 15:30 — Transfer from Hrud to Siemiatycz

15:30 — 16:30 — Lunch in the vicinity of Siemiatycz

16:30 — 17:20 — Transfer from the surroundings of Siemiatycz to Kleszczel

17:20 — 18:30 — Visit to Kleszczely — Hładyszka (ul. 1 Maja 19, 17-250 Kleszczele)

18:30 — Departure on the way back to Białystok

19:45 — Return to Białystok (John Paul II Square/ Branicki Palace)

We invite you!