Sort (ACN).- The Xisqueta Caravan began the route through the municipalities of the Aigüestortes National Park on April 16 with the aim of valuing the wool of the Xisqueta sheep, the shepherd's trade and artisan work. During this time, it has traveled to 16 towns in Alta Ribagorça (6), Pallars Jussà (6) and Pallars Sobirà (4). 250 people have participated in the workshops offered free of charge by the Caravan. To make wool known, felt, leather, weaving or spinning workshops are held. Until July 1, the Caravan will travel through a total of 19 towns (12 from Sobirà and 7 from Valle de Arán). The last workshop was held this Monday in Altron (Sort) and fifteen children participated.
The workshop that has been done in Altron has been a felt workshop. A fortnight of children have learned to comb the wool and once prepared they have made colored balls. With these balls they have made a toy.
Lina, the artisan who gave the workshop, explained that the aim of the course is to make sheep wool of the xisqueta breed known among the local population and discover the many uses it has.
The workshops are of a small format, due to the dimensions of the caravan, and last approximately two hours. The activities have been very well received by the population and each locality that fills it for the Xisqueta Caravan, mostly children, to attend the workshops and learn more about wool, sheep, and shepherds.
The target audience is mainly older people and children. The first, the largest, because they are the permanent inhabitants of these villages, and the children, who once they have finished the school day, return home with their parents or grandparents.
With them, the initial techniques linked to the work of wool are introduced, emphasizing playful pedagogy and learning through experimentation with the material. At the last of the workshops, there is also a job, which is considered to be awareness-raising, and which is a strategic aspect of the project: knowledge of a trade, of a race and of the territory.
At Altron they have held a felting workshop, but workshops on wool processes, weaving techniques, leather, mattresses and felt alternate.
As for the artisans who teach the courses, they are artisans linked to Obrador xisqueta who, after 4 years of work, have achieved a good technique, each in their own discipline. They already have experience, since for a few years they have been giving courses to professionals, in schools and to people interested in learning about the uses of wool throughout the Catalan territory.
Source: The Vanguard
Link: http://ow.ly/lqgyB
