“Heklowanie”, i.e. a unique method of lace-making used only by the residents of Koniaków in the Silesian Beskids, has been entered on the national list of intangible cultural heritage. The tradition dates back to the early 20th century.
The lace is the hallmark of Koniaków and is known nearly everywhere in the world. It has been used as a gift for such personalities as Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II or Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo (Comme de Garçons). In 2013, five female residents of Koniaków created the largest lace in the world. The tablecloth has a diameter of 5 m. The lace is made with white or cream-coloured cotton thread, and the makers employ numerous natural motifs and plant ornaments, arranged in a circle or in the shape of a star. The uniqueness of Koniaków lace lies in the fact that no templates are used. This method of crocheting is not used anywhere else in the world. It is passed down from generation to generation. There are some 700 lace-makers living in the area of Koniaków. April 2019 saw the establishment of the Koniaków Lace Centre. The place cultivates and promotes the century-old lace-making tradition of Koniaków. The Centre runs the Koniaków Lace Museum, a shop with folk creations, workshops, lace fashion shows, exhibitions of Koniaków lace, stands and fairs, lectures and conferences with multimedia presentations. The living tradition of heklowanie continues to grow.
