Twin Cities slovenians

11/03/10

Slovenian bobbin lace was featured at the Oct. 23 meeting of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) Slovenians. The presentation was inspired by a beautiful Mother's Day article in last May's issue of the Slovenian american Times. The article featured two master lace makers who are now deceased - Cecilija (Cilkla) Žakelj and Anna Žakelj Jesenko. As a result of that article, Cilka's son John contacted Anna Jesenko's daughter, Ruth Abbott, for a copy of the bobbin lace video and pamphlet which were professionally produced in 1987. The 12-minute video has excellent photography, enjoyable Slovenian music, a very informative narrative explaining Slovenian bobbin lace, and best of all, Anna Jesenko presenting her own story as the "Slovenian bobbin lace lady." The vidow was funded by the Slovenian American
 
Heritage Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council and the Slovenian American National Art Guild. The accompanying pamphlet, written by Ruth Abbott, has interesting information regarding bobbin lace and Anna Jesenko's fascinating personal story.
 
John's presentation included the video and pamphlet, samples of his mother's lace, a mint edition of the Slovenian postage stamp series commemoratin bobbin lace, and three bobbin lace-themed books from Slovenia. The presentation was very well received, and it was agreed that the group will explore showing the video and other information about bobbin lace on public television. Minnesota Slovenians were in total awe of the skill that Anna demonstrated as a ČIPKARICA (woman bobbin lace maker).
 
For more information about the bobbin lace materials, contact John by e-mail: zakelj@cs.com. For more information about Mpls.-St. Paul Slovenians, see www.twincitiesslovenians.org.


 
John Zakelj proudly presenting his mother's lace.