Kirivöö ehk mõõgavöö kursus Kihnu saarel

Come with us to discover the world of Kihnu belts! You will learn the technique of weaving a kirivöö in the Kihnu style. #kirivööpäev

In broad terms, everything below is planned as follows. There is still a year to go until May 2027, as this spring’s belt course already took place in April. However, always be prepared for changes, because everything around us is changing. A small group and a pleasant atmosphere.

This belt course is inspired by the book “Kihnu mõõgavööd”. In Kihnu, belts that mainland people would call kirivööd are called mõõgavööd. I am Kristel, and I have taught people to make kirivööd for 16 years, but the Kihnu belt book captivated me instantly. Seeing how logically and pleasantly the belts can be set up expands the experience of every belt weaver with previous experience, while weaving a narrow shirt belt in the Kihnu style is also suitable as a first belt-weaving experience.

In Kihnu, we will be taught by Pärna Veronika, one of the book’s authors. Under her guidance, we will set up a Kihnu shirt belt. More experienced weavers may, if they wish, make a full Kihnu mõõgavöö. We will learn good tips for both setting up and weaving a belt. We will begin the belt in Kihnu, but it must later be completed at home independently.

!!BRING YOUR BELT SWORD WITH YOU OR WRITE TO ME SO I KNOW TO BRING ONE FOR YOU.

At Kihnu Museum, the book’s other author, Noodi Maie, will show us the belts found in the collections. We will stay with Veronika at Pärnamõisa Guesthouse and travel around the island by bicycle, as we will leave the cars on the mainland. We will enjoy Kihnu’s way of life from the Kihnu people’s perspective, take part in a surprise workshop at the museum, and be able to “shop” for local handicrafts in spring, when the goods made during winter are at their most plentiful. We will make the obligatory visit to the lighthouse and watch the swans; depending on preferences and the weather, we may also tour in the back of a truck.

The course days are planned from Thursday to Saturday, leaving Sunday as a pleasant day of rest at home. If desired, you may also remain independently on Kihnu. This kind of belt course is a truly special opportunity to create a feeling of summer, experience Kihnu culture, learn a new skill, and develop your own relationship with both Kihnu and the world of belts.

The course fee includes accommodation, a museum tour, bicycle rental, a lighthouse visit, homemade breakfasts, Kihnu-style lunches and dinners at Rooslaiu Farm, belt instruction, and all materials. A truck tour or sauna is available for an additional fee if desired. Ferry tickets are not included. Buy them yourself: Thursday at 12:30 from Munalaid and return Saturday at 16:15 from Kihnu.

Let’s make a belt! Come experience the world of Kihnu belts and take part in the #kirivööpäev spring course. You are warmly welcome!

There are different payment options, either by invoice or in instalments. Select the appropriate option when beginning payment. Discounts are available for young people; ask directly at parimusdisain@gmail.com.

Below is a preliminary schedule, but changes are likely in the interests of the event running more smoothly. On the island, plans settle into their best order in their own rhythm; this has happened before as well.

THURSDAY, 6 May 2027
12:30 ferry departs from Munalaid; upon arriving in Kihnu (at 13:35), we give our belongings to the host and continue by bicycle (by car if the weather is bad)
14:00–17:00 at Kihnu Museum or immediately at Pärnamõisa – introduction to the plans (Kristel), Kihnu, setting up the belt
18:00 preparing a shared dinner
19:00 dinner, (a sweet surprise), getting to know one another

FRIDAY, 7 May 2027
8:30–9:00 breakfast
10:00–13:00 belt weaving at the museum, guided tour (Maie)
13:00–14:00 lunch break (ordered)
14:00–17:00 continuing the belt workshop at the Guesthouse or museum
19:00 dinner (ordered), free time

SATURDAY, 8 May 2027
8:30–9:00 breakfast
10:00–13:00 bicycle tour of the island to the lighthouse; if possible, a visit to a handicraft farm. Opportunity to ride in a truck (separate arrangement, not included in the price)
13:00–14:00 lunch break (ordered)
14:00–15:00 wrap-up
15:30 ferry
16:15 ferry from Kihnu
17:20 at Munalaid

More information: parimusdisain@gmail.com
Kristel, mobile 53407776