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I Parchi LetterariŪ "Viaggi nel
   futuro della Memoria"
English Version

     Presentation
     Journeys to the Future of
          Memory
     I Parchi Letterari in Sila
     I Parchi Letterari in the Locride
          area
     I Parchi Letterari on the
          Isthmus
     I Parchi Letterari in the
          Marquisate of Crotone
     I Viaggi Sentimentali

     Artisanship

     Products from the Earth
     The Food
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I PARCHI LETTERARIŪ IN CALABRIA “JOURNEYS TO THE FUTURE OF MEMORY” - CALABRIAN ARTISANSHIP


Calabrian artisanship has ancient roots in Mediterranean civilisations, and above all in that of Magna Graecia from which it descends. From here, the obvious diversity of Calabrian artisan products can be seen in their aesthetics, techniques and functions.

In many places throughout the region, the sea, the towns of Aspromonte and region of Le Serre, as well as in Sila, it is easy to stumble upon catojos, which are used as artisan workshops where local craftspeople create their products today as they did in the past with the same tools that were used two thousand years ago.

The art of weaving is perhaps the one that has the most ancient origins in Calabria and in the towns of its hinterland, it is still possible to watch weavers at work. In Bianco, Gerace and almost all of the towns of the Locride, there are a number of artisan activities that involve the looms of Pardesca, but there is also the deep-rooted tradition of the weaving of broom fabric, which is characteristic of San Luca and the communities of Greek origin of the Aspromonte. The beechwood looms are sumptuous and monumental, the raw materials are sometimes unusual, but the results produced by the Calabrian weavers are among the most artistic and valued throughout the world. There is also the production of valuable tapestries, embroideries, pillow lace, silks and damasks.

The most interesting ceramics and terra cotta products are those that best express the roots of the Mediterranean civilisation, and most of all, that of Magna Graecia, from which it descends indirectly, and these items can be found in the workshops of Bagnara Calabra, Gerace and Locri, in the Province of Reggio Calabria, Sibari in the Province of Cosenza and Squillace, in the Province of Catanzaro.

The artisan traditions of wrought iron and copper still exist today in Serra San Bruco, gold and Silver in Crotone, glassworks in Bagnara, wicker and straw in Soriano Calabro, Delianuova, San Giorgio Morgeto, Vibo Valentia, Polistena, Gallico and Cosenza, each with its own peculiar characteristics.
In Melissa and Brognatauro local master artisans use the roots that are taken from the erica arborea plant and transform this precious root from the Aspromonte region to create collectible smoking pipe masterpieces.

Musical instruments open up yet another chapter. The De Bonis Brothers’ company stands out for the quality of its products and their lute making skills. Unfortunately, the artisan crafts of guitar making in Delianuova and the manufacture of bagpipes in San Giorgio Morgeto have declined over the years. In San Luca and Platė, the creation of reed flutes still flourishes.