Deutsch-Afghanische Initiative

Guldusi, the Afghan hand embroidery program of the German association Deutsch-Afghanische Initiative, was launched in 2004, 20 years ago! Afghan women from 3 villages were encouraged to resume hand embroidery, an activity they had abandoned during the long years of war, with other priorities.It is this long journey of exchange between embroiderers and Europeans that we present, starting with the very first embroidered square sheet, finished in 2004. The embroideries are primarily integrated into patchworks, works that are made available to us to enrich this journey and demonstrate the positive evolution of the embroideries and their integration into European textile creations.Thanks to this meeting of cultures, not only is a centuries-old embroidery tradition saved, but 200 women also feed their families and gain recognition within their communities: a unique artistic intercultural exchange.

EXHIBITION

Guldusi, the Afghan embroidery programme turns 20!

Town

Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines

Year

2024

What started out as a small piece of hand embroidery made in Afghanistan has been transformed into a work of patchwork by a European artist. Each embroidery is an original and unique piece, like a seed, a canvas, on which the inspiration of the European participant is laid. The embroidery is square, often in the shape of a leaf or an eye or a hand, and always very colorful! Over the past two decades, these embroideries have inspired thousands of participants for numerous creative projects, making use of all available textile techniques: hand or machine, embroidery, mix media, patchwork, felting and every imaginable combination. These embroideries catalyze inspirations, sublimating them to produce creations that unite two cultures. Visitors can “read” the happiness and magic of having dared to open up to this little element from elsewhere: the handcrafted Afghan embroidery brought to Europe thanks to the work of the Deutsch-Afghanische Initiative and project coordinator Pascale Goldenberg.