Empowering Rural Craft - Silk Thread Workshop at the State Silk Museum

In early May, the State Silk Museum in Tbilisi hosted a workshop focused on traditional silk thread spinning using the Jara spinning wheel and spindles.

United by a shared passion for craftsmanship and the heritage of sericulture, the event brought together eighteen participants, silkworm farmers and artisans, from Tbilisi and the regions of Kakheti, Imereti, and Samtskhe-Javakheti. Assembled by the Georgian Silk Association (GSA), they had the opportunity to develop skills that will help them transform raw silk cocoons into higher-value products.

This workshop is part of an ongoing series, and the Museum is planning to host the next one focusing on silk cocoon and carded silk dying at the end of June, following the conclusion of the silkworm rearing season.

The ALCP2 helped establish the GSA, which serves as essential support for rural silk producers, providing access to silkworm eggs, enhancing production, and increasing awareness of the sector.

GSA is currently overseeing fourteen families in Samegrelo, Imereti and Kakheti regions, as well as in Tbilisi, and one public school hoping to produce around seventy kg of cocoons to sell as raw & cut cocoons, as well as to produce silk thread, pillows, sleep masks, and other decorative crafts.

The ALCP2 implemented by Mercy Corps Georgia, is funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) in cooperation with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and Sweden.