Basket Weaving in Italy - Il Cestaio in Abruzzo

Behind a basket lies an infinite world of skills and experience of manual ability and deep knowledge of nature.
The art of weaving is linked to the places and characteristic plants of each territory such as branches of willow, hazelnut, elm, chestnut, olive and so on. Moreover, the harvesting and weaving moments depend on respecting the right lunar calendar and the seasonal climate so as not to ruin the plants and to prevent the basket from becoming worm-eaten.

The goal is to create useful and durable containers over time. No paint is used to give colour to the artefacts, instead, the shades are given naturally depending on the materials used. When and if they break, they go back to nature, decomposing completely with the help of land, water and wind.
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I have distant memories of my Nonno(grandpa) weaving the baskets when I was a kid, and now after 40/50 years distance we still have and use those baskets at home for picking fruit, truffles, wild mushrooms, vegetables but also for carrying stuff on a picnic on a great sunny day.
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Has always been a dream learning how to weave them and helping to maintain and promote this ancient tradition. For this reason, when I saw Andònje(dialect for Antonio) at the local festival, I could not resist to sit close to him, observe him and ask Antonio to teach me how to weave. On the first night I staied until 2am, then went back the following day to complete it. About 6/7 hours time to learn and make a little basket, which I think my Nonno would be very proud of 😊

I’m even more excited to keep this tradition alive, by offering this experience where you will LEARN HOW TO MAKE the traditional cesti (baskets)
📧 For more info, send a direct message or email me at info@ExperienceBellaVita.com

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Abruzzo