Syrian young woman highlights the secrets of the traditional Syrian embroidery handicraft

Embroidery is one of the traditional Syrian handicrafts with elegant patterns inspired by the flora of the Middle East. This  handicraft has   been produced for centuries by Syrian artisans following ancient techniques. 

 

Embroidery is an art dating back to thirty thousand years ago, and this indicates the originality and antiquity of this art, starting with “India” and “China.” Even “Egypt” and the Levant. It is used to make tablecloths, clothing, pillows and other decorative items. 

 

Named after a traditional Syrian embroidery technique passed down from mother to daughter, they were able to transfer this art .

 

Behind this innovative idea, can be found the talented young woman “Lilian Khasho” from the city of “Safita” in Tartous province , a graduate of the Commercial Banking Institute, who did not find the appropriate opportunity to work in her field of study, so she turned to the world of fabric and colored threads, to be fascinated by the profession of embroidery and through it to enter the world of professionalism.

 

“My relationship with the art of embroidery started by chance, and later turned into a passion that impressed those around me. The art of embroidery requires talent and skill, and the main pillars of the success of this talent are artistic taste and patience” the 29-year-old Khasho told “eSyria” reporter Betty Farah. 

 

The young woman stressed the importance of spreading workshops through handcraft associations, to promote this ancient art historically.

 

Kasho  highlighted  “ Syria – with global recognition – is the master of weaving and textile , and the first to know dyes and coloring, especially the Damascene “Al-Aghbani” embroidered and we, in turn, are working on the continuity of this Art is within our capabilities”.

 

She is fascinated by the “Palestinian” folk embroidery, which differs from the “Syrian” embroidery due to the demographic difference, expressing her hope to receive the attention of the specialized handicrafts  bodies, to strengthen the presence of the “Syrian” thread as it was before in local and international exhibitions.

 

“The art of embroidery is like other traditional arts, such as music, drawing, and sculpture. It is not limited to females only. Creativity is a common element for both sexes, but since it is a soft profession, the female element has taken over it more” according to Khasho.

 

The talented Syrian woman pointed out “We can introduce modernity to embroidery after mastering the basics . Through this mixture we create our own method of choosing color gradients, or designing a new stitch.”

 

She indicated that there are currently modern techniques based on projecting the three-dimensional image onto the embroidered plate, stressing there is currently a great demand for learning this art, especially by those who are in early twenties,  for several reasons including the desire of housewives to embroider and acquire such paintings for display at  homes,  to repair clothes and to support themselves.

 

There is no difference, according to khasho , in the art of embroidery between the past and present as the initial principles are the same, but the development that has occurred due to (the Internet) made the principles a circulating culture that allows the artist to expand his knowledge of the folklore of the peoples who excelled in this art such as “China” and “” Palestine”, “Turkey” and thus creates a horizon for inventing his own idea. 

 

The talented young woman encourages learning handicrafts in general and embroidery in particular, and the main objective of learning this handicraft should be in the first place to learn about this beautiful art.

 

It is worth mentioning  that  Khasho is dealing currently with associations outside “Syria” to market her embroidery  production , and she managed to provide job opportunities for a group of women to support them financially and socially . 

 

Rawaa Ghanam