For the first time the idea of lace-making school foundation in Vamberk was put forward by Mr. Jindrich Kubias at the meeting of a local authority on May 1, 1887. Mr. Kubias gave extensive and reasonable arguments proving urgent need for establishing the lace-making school in Vamberk which could help relieve poverty in the region." He also pointed out the necessity ìto deal with this question promptly not to be overrun by some other local authority.". Afterwards, a committee which was supposed to see to this matter and make first steps was elected. Before the request for the school foundation was elaborated, the so called counting of pillows had been carried out. Only in Vamberk they totalled 1,000, whereas within the whole parish 3,000 pieces were counted. As early as on May 9, 1888 the demand was met by a High Imperial and Royal Ministry of Culture and Education decree No 1757.
The city was granted a yearly subsidy for the period of 5 years. The ministry also supplied the city with samples from monarchic Central Lace-making Course in Vienna, whereas the city provided suitable space, cleaning, necessary heating and support by locals. Another financial support was promised also by other institutions such as Commercial and Trading Chamber in Liberec, District Committee in Rychnov nad Kneznou and Civilian Savings Bank in Vamberk. Under the ministerial decree No 21.488 the request for the school foundation was fulfilled on May 30th, 1888 and after several months, on September 15th, 1889, the school was opened with a ceremony. Mrs. Aloisie Kubiasova, the graduate of the Central Lace-making Course in Vienna, became the first teacher. Representatives of ministries of the city of Vamberk as well as other participated institutions were entitled to control the school. Seventeen girl-students were enrolled within the first year.
Due to lack of finances, the school was nationalized in 1905 (non-state schools were not granted any subsidies any longer) and attached to a monarchic Central Lace-making Course in Vienna. At that time the school was attended by 41girl-students. The school in Vamberk was the only one within the whole Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy where drawing was introduced into curriculum which was thanks to the then chairman of the school-board Antonin Bednar: "He was fairly aware of the fact that only those lace-makers who can create and draw patterns by themselves are the real lace-makers, and the main goal of this school was to educate artists of this kind.".
Also lectures on history, aesthetics, household, upbringing
of children and health care helped raise education level of the
students. The students were divided according to their age and
skills. Beginners (girls under 14 years) attended the school
once per week, selling their laces to the Central Lace-making
Course in Vienna for a financial reward set by a teacher. Participants
attended the school properly. Also they were making bobbin-laces
intended to the Central Lace-making Course in Vienna, and selling
them for a certain reward. School graduates, the so called auditors,
used to work individually at their homes, however, they could
consult rather difficult patterns at school. Their laces were
sold by Austrian Gathering for Women's Uplifting in Vienna or
by local tradesmen.
Since its foundation, the school frequently took part in great many exhibitions and also held many of them. Its activity and wonderful lace products were awarded many prizes.
After foundation of the Czech Republic, all schools for lace-makers and embroiders controlled still by the Vienna Central Lace-making Course, were in 1919 transferred under control of a newly established State School Institute for Home Industry with the seat in Prague. (Later on it was a School Institute of Art Production (Skolsky ustav umelecke vyroby SUUV. Thus a new epoch of working on original Czech patterns, which had been created by famous artists of Prague institution were made for the school in Vamberk as well as for the remaining outlets.
A museum of lace-making was attached to the school in Vamberk
and opened on June 30th, 1929 in the presence of many famous
guests. This considerable event marked the activity of the school
board headed by Antonin Bednar. The idea of a lace-making museum
foundation was brought to life, morally and financially supported
also by the headquarters of the State School Institute, Ministry
of Education and Trade and Commercial Chamber in Hradec Kralove.
Precious collections of laces and lace-making tools from the
regions of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia were stored in the museum
and have become an essential part of the fund of a present-day
museum in Vamberk (specialized in lace-making in the 60's).
|
|
A great many actions promoting the lace-making craft were held in Vamberk during the economic crisis in the 30's - the period fairly adverse to this craft. Courses for advanced were held in order to improve their technique, lectures on Vamberk laces were read on radio, exhibitions were held, competitions called out and all these helped keep on interest in the school activities (between 1938 and 1939 twenty-seven regulars, one irregular and 58 beginners attended the school).
 |
Certificate of Mrs. Ruzena Slezingerova, maiden name Zezulkova (class of 1922, Merklovice No 4) from State Institute for Home Industry in Prague, outlet Vamberk, Vamberk 1938. |
Until 1999, regardless difficult stages of our history, the lace-making school in Vamberk was continuously registered as an outlet of SUUV. In 1999, however, the School Institute of Art Production in Prague was dissolved. The school is controlled by a House of Children and Youth in Rychnov nad Kneznou which guaranteed to preserve educational process and curriculum of the previous School Institute (SUUV).
As time was passing, the economic, social and cultural living conditions of local people have changed as well as teaching methods, curriculum and goals. Gradual suppression of hand-made laces by mechanic production, which could be seen already at the beginning of the last century, and the overall falling interest in this kind of textile goods resulted into the fact that lace was not a profitable item any longer. Former intention of the school - to bring up professional lace-makers - was therefore transferred into sort of entertainment. Despite the possibility that after meeting demands of curriculum and elaborating the final work the students can obtain certification in bobbin lace-making, not many women take this advantage. Some of them, already skilled lace-makers, go on attending the school for the love to this craft.
Traditions of bobbin laces have been preserved in the families
within the region of Vamberk just thanks to the school in Vamberk,
which is also proved by results of a research of a present-day
stage of lace-making conducted by Lace Museum in Vamberk between
the year 1997 and 1998. At many places of the region where bobbin
laces production used to be a part of a common way of making
one's living, there is no place at present where this activity
could be performed not even as a kind of entertainment. Therefore
this art is vanishing.
|
Vamberk, teacher Vilma Murcova with her students, Vamberk, 70's of the 20th century. |
Nowadays, two teachers give lessons at the school and courses are held daily both in the morning and afternoon. Students are divided into groups of adults and children. Recently, about 50 adults and 50 children attend this school every year.
 |
Teacher of bobbin lace-making from Vamberk outlet of SUUV Mrs. Dana Beranova, SUUV Vamberk, October 9th, 1998. |