Smålands Lincentrum (Småland’s Flax Centre) works to safeguard knowledge about the cultivation and use of flax. The aim is to collect and disseminate knowledge about flax and its use in Småland throughout the ages, to maintain a living tradition of high cultural value. This way, the society facilitates meaningful employment and good environmental management as well as expanding knowledge about the environmentally friendly flax. Flax fibers allow for locally produced clothing and other textiles, as well as many other uses. Since its foundation in 1994, the base for the society’s activities as been the craft house Sländan, adjacent to Dädesjö folk museum.
The craft house contains an exhibition about flax and textiles and in the adjoining workshop both old and new machinery used for threshing, retting and dressing flax can be found. There are also several different spinning wheels. Every year, a small field with different types of flax is grown outside the buildings. Over the years, the society has organised spinning parties and competitions, courses and seminars about flax, its cultivation and preparation, study trips, spinning courses as well as demonstrations and exhibitions around the use of flax and textile craft.
Text by Stephanie Carleklev
