Elisavet Rodopoulou

Tsakonika Ifanta

Weaver

©tsakonika ifanta

Keeping Tsakonian weaving alive

Elisavet weaves products that last more than a lifetime
Tsakonian weaving is demanding as everything is made using the fingers
For her creations, she uses the finest sheep wool dyed with natural colours

Elisavet Rodopoulou is a third-generation weaver. She is preserving the traditional vertical loom weaving craft of the region of Tsakonia, which is unique in all of Greece. Since 1948, her family has been creating kilims, rugs, runners and other decorations. Elisavet studied Maintenance and Restoration of Historic and Traditional Buildings. She says she gained valuable knowledge for her weaving profession while studying history of art, the methods of printing and drawing, the technology of materials and the practice of decoration. She also attended specialised seminars on working with other kinds of looms, weaving techniques, and plant-based yarn dyes. After a few years of living in Germany, she returned to Greece and took over the family business, Tsakonika Ifanta, in 2018 with the goal of promoting Tsakonian textile craft. Today she creates handcrafted products in the original workshop in Tyros Arkadias and a new workshop in Athens.

Interview

©tsakonika ifanta

Did you learn your craft from a master?: I learned how to weave from a very young age. Loom and yarn have always been a part of my life. In addition to the family business, my mother always had a workshop with her loom and colourful woolen skeins within our home. For me learning to weave was a fun game with my mum and grandmother. From them I learned the Tsakonian craft of weaving on the standing loom.
Why did you choose this craft?: I feel that the weaving craft chose me. My goal is to evolve the significant tapestry tradition of our workshop to the needs of the modern world, supporting our great heritage in practice. It is my honour to continue this craft, passing on my love and knowledge to everyone who is interested.
What are your unique skills?: Creators have an artistic identity that distinguishes them, which is reflected in their work. The most valuable skill I gained from my weaving experience is patience. Patience, persistence and love for each woven piece from the moment the loom is set up to weave, up to tying the last knot when it is ready.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: We create items that last more than a lifetime using ancient craft techniques passed down from generation to generation. We weave original designs inspired by today while following the traditional ways of processing raw materials. Tradition is not regression but a source of knowledge, principles, values, ideas from the past leading to the right pathway into the future.

Elisavet Rodopoulou is a master artisan: she began her career in 2000 and she started teaching in 2018