Xistopedia

Janeiro de Cima learns dyeing techniques

Janeiro de Cima learns dyeing techniques
craft+design
The workshop, led by the Spanish artist Alicia Mediavilla Arranz, was part of the project Earth Lab - The Return of Flax.

Mordant, light, shade, fabric, colour. These were some of the words that marked the dyeing workshop that took place between 12 and 16 March 2018 in Janeiro de Cima. Zelinda, Lurdes, Isaura, Rosa and Sónia, village residents, and the designers, Daniela Pais and Ana Evaristo, were the attentive students of Alicia Mediavilla Arranz. For five days, the Spanish artist taught eco-friendly colour dyeing techniques and shared tips and suggestions.

Alicia has been a textile artist for 25 years, but it was only five years ago that she went back to the 18th century and started researching ancient dyeing techniques, looking for a clean source of colour, not only for the textile industry, the second most polluting industry, but also for all niche markets that involve colour and dyeing.

Alicia believes that the world is in a “big mess” as far as pollution is concerned. She is therefore looking for other ways of practising her own and the work of others, minimising the impact that the activity has on the environment and even on the people involved in it.

By acting simply as a channel, the artist wants to share her knowledge and provide the groups she deals with skills and knowledge, equipping them with the tools to create and/or maintain their activities in a sustainable way.

The techniques that Alicia shared, such as eco print, in which the dyeing is done from flowers and plants, are, as she is keen to point out, only a suggestion. The artist informed us that techniques for colouring from bacteria or mushrooms are currently under development. What really matters is to ensure that “people know the techniques and can adapt them to their work”.

The experience that Alicia has gained over the last few years does not, however, mean there is no further room for experimentation. “Will the leaves of the persimmon tree also do?” the trainees questioned. It is necessary to try things out to discover things.

Interest, curiosity and the search for solutions were constants during the five days of the workshop, which was held in the family atmosphere so characteristic of places like Janeiro de Cima, where everyone has known each other "forever". Between fabrics, doubts, factsheets and clarifications or suggestions, there was always room for everyday conversation.

In the end, expectations were met and there was no hesitation in answering the question “was it worth it?”. Yes, it was. And the lessons will take place more often, they all guarantee.

If the designers or Sónia, one of the leaders at Casa das Tecedeiras (House of Weaving), draw lessons from this for their professional life, the other participants responded with their personal curiosity and taste, while getting involved in a project that will bring linen back to the village and the banks of the River Zêzere.

Linen is back

Earth Lab - The Return of the Flax, promoted and managed by ADXTUR, is guided by the designer Yoád David Louxembourg, forming part of the “Village School” programme, and will restore the flax crop to Janeiro de Cima. Although extinct, this tradition is embedded in the population’s memory and is still present in the activity of the Casa das Tecedeiras.

The idea is to increase the use of the land and make it profitable again, attracting people to the villages, reversing the trend that has been seen in recent years.

Attracting tourists is one element of the project. How? By calling them to participate and join projects which have social, economic and cultural significance. Promoting the exchange of knowledge between those who are here and those who come. Ensuring unique and authentic experiences. All this in harmony with the local community.

Text: Andreia Gonçalves

explore

restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
restaurants
Casa da Ti Augusta
Casa da Ti Augusta
Figueira
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
Adega dos Apalaches
Adega dos Apalaches
Roqueiro
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
Ponte Velha
Ponte Velha
Sertã
restaurants
Fiado
Fiado
Janeiro de Cima
restaurants
Safra Restaurant
Safra Restaurant
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
Casa de Janeiro
Casa de Janeiro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
A Boa Vida do Campo
A Boa Vida do Campo
Tábua
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
village
Comareira
Comareira
heritage
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
tour
Mining Territory - Cabeço do Pião > Barroca - GRZ on Foot: Stage 2
Mining Territory - Cabeço do Pião > Barroca - GRZ on Foot: Stage 2
offer
Starlight Journey at the Geoscope (Fajão)
Starlight Journey at the Geoscope (Fajão)
tour
GRZ on Foot  - Return to Serenity [sector 7]
GRZ on Foot - Return to Serenity [sector 7]
village
Martim Branco
Martim Branco
offer
Night Canoeing I Starlight Journey
Night Canoeing I Starlight Journey
heritage
Chapel of São Sebastião
Chapel of São Sebastião
offer
Astrofotografia no Observatório do Porto da Balsa - 30 de julho
Astrofotografia no Observatório do Porto da Balsa - 30 de julho
heritage
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
tour
The Tagus Route - Souto Rest Area > Cabeça Gorda Rest Area - GRZ on Foot: Stage 4
The Tagus Route - Souto Rest Area > Cabeça Gorda Rest Area - GRZ on Foot: Stage 4
village
Benfeita
Benfeita

next events

event
Exposição de fotografia "Máscara de Cortiça"
Exposição de fotografia "Máscara de Cortiça"
01 mar 2025 - 31 mar 2025, 10:00
Góis
event
Quinzena Gastronómica da Chanfana
Quinzena Gastronómica da Chanfana
07 mar 2025 - 23 mar 2025, 12:00
Penela
event
Moonlight Talasnal
Moonlight Talasnal
14 mar 2025 - 05 dec 2025, 20:30
Talasnal
event
Hike to the Penedos de Fajão
Hike to the Penedos de Fajão
22 mar 2025, 09:00
Fajão
event
Rota da Urze
Rota da Urze
23 mar 2025, 09:00
Vilar, Castanheira de Pera
event
Seminar "Art, Life, and Landscapes in Networks"
Seminar "Art, Life, and Landscapes in Networks"
26 mar 2025 - 28 mar 2025, 09:30
Malpartida de Cáceres
event
1st Regional Youth Meeting "Entre Jovens"
1st Regional Youth Meeting "Entre Jovens"
28 mar 2025, 09:00
Lousã
event
10.ª edição do Trilho Internacional dos Apalaches
10.ª edição do Trilho Internacional dos Apalaches
29 mar 2025, 08:30
Orvalho
event
Olive Tree Pruning Workshop
Olive Tree Pruning Workshop
29 mar 2025, 09:00
Zangaria, Sertã
event
Conversas Caminhadas (Walking Conversations)
Conversas Caminhadas (Walking Conversations)
29 mar 2025 - 30 mar 2025, 14:30
Pedrógão Pequeno
event
Soup and Snacks Festival
Soup and Snacks Festival
29 mar 2025 - 30 mar 2025, 19:00
Fundada, Vila de Rei
event
Rural Walk and Ruralities of the Past
Rural Walk and Ruralities of the Past
30 mar 2025, 09:00
Amioso, Sertã
event
Spring Mycological Walk
Spring Mycological Walk
30 mar 2025, 09:30
Proença-a-Nova
event
Cod and Olive Oil Gastronomic Festival
Cod and Olive Oil Gastronomic Festival
05 apr 2025 - 13 apr 2025, 12:00
Vila de Rei
event
Percurso Turístico entre Zaboeira e Fernandaires
Percurso Turístico entre Zaboeira e Fernandaires
06 apr 2025, 09:00
event
Festival do Cabrito Estonado e do Vinho Callum
Festival do Cabrito Estonado e do Vinho Callum
11 apr 2025 - 13 apr 2025, 09:00
Oleiros
event
Easter at Sobral de São Miguel
Easter at Sobral de São Miguel
13 apr 2025 - 19 apr 2025, 21:00
Sobral de São Miguel
event
Páscoa de Sabores
Páscoa de Sabores
17 apr 2025 - 20 apr 2025, 12:00
Góis
event
Easter Market
Easter Market
18 apr 2025 - 19 apr 2025, 12:00
Monte Frio, Arganil
event
AXTrail Series
AXTrail Series
27 apr 2025 - 19 oct 2025, 08:00
Góis
event
Distillation of Essential Oils Workshop
Distillation of Essential Oils Workshop
03 may 2025, 10:00
Cerdeira
event
Curso de Máscaras, Som e Cerâmica
Curso de Máscaras, Som e Cerâmica
14 may 2025 - 23 may 2025, 10:00
Cerdeira
event
Vila de Rei Medieval Market
Vila de Rei Medieval Market
17 may 2025 - 18 may 2025, 15:00
Vila de Rei
event
Walking Weekend'25 - Festival de Caminhadas
Walking Weekend'25 - Festival de Caminhadas
23 may 2025 - 25 may 2025, 20:30
Pampilhosa da Serra
event
Ceramics and Nature Course
Ceramics and Nature Course
29 may 2025 - 04 jun 2025, 10:00
Cerdeira
event
Wicker Basketry Course
Wicker Basketry Course
13 jun 2025 - 18 jun 2025, 15:00
Cerdeira
event
AXTrail Series #3
AXTrail Series #3
15 jun 2025, 09:00
Fajão
event
Raiz d'Aldeia 2025
Raiz d'Aldeia 2025
26 jun 2025 - 29 jun 2025, 21:00
Janeiro de Cima
event
Festival de Gastronomia do Maranho
Festival de Gastronomia do Maranho
17 jul 2025 - 20 jul 2025, 17:00
Sertã
event
Ceramics and Wood-Firing Course
Ceramics and Wood-Firing Course
18 jul 2025 - 27 jul 2025, 16:00
Cerdeira
event
Sausage, Cheese, and Honey Fair
Sausage, Cheese, and Honey Fair
26 jul 2025 - 03 aug 2025, 10:00
Vila de Rei
event
Curso de Cerâmica e Overglazing
Curso de Cerâmica e Overglazing
16 sep 2025 - 25 sep 2025, 15:00
Cerdeira
event
Ultra Trail Aldeias do Xisto
Ultra Trail Aldeias do Xisto
17 oct 2025 - 19 oct 2025, 10:00
event
RAKU Course - From Clay to Fire
RAKU Course - From Clay to Fire
20 nov 2025 - 26 nov 2025, 15:00
Cerdeira
event
Curso de Cerâmica: Vidrados a Partir de Rochas
Curso de Cerâmica: Vidrados a Partir de Rochas
03 dec 2025 - 12 dec 2025, 10:00
Cerdeira