The story
Vologda Lace Festival in Vologda
Vologda's international lace festival, officially named Vita Lace, brings several hundred lacemakers from Russia and abroad to the city that gives its name to Vologda lace, a bobbin-lace craft recognized as a Russian folk-art brand. Held every third year, it combines a juried exhibition-competition with mass lace-making actions in the city center.
Vologda has been synonymous with Russian bobbin lace since the 17th century, when local artisans began using paired wooden bobbins called koklyushki to weave continuous, densely patterned lace distinct from the needle-lace and cutwork traditions found elsewhere in Russia.