The Longest Tapestry in the World comes to Metchosin from Iceland

studio h canada

1 year ago

Studio H Canada International Artist Residency and the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre are thrilled to announce that a section of the longest tapestry in the world – the Njálúrúfiln – is coming to Metchosin from May 12-19, 2025. We are celebrating the arrival of the tapestry section with a whole week of FREE events from the tapestry exhibition to talks, a film screening of The Day Iceland Stood Still, and hands-on embroidery workshops!!

The story (saga) of Njal’s Saga takes place in Iceland and depicts the dramatic consequences of feuds that took place from 960 to 1020. There are many lessons to be learned in Njal’s Saga about greed, vengeance, and betrayal!

A section of the tapestry in Iceland – check out the Facebook Page for more pics

The Njálúrúfiln is 91.6 meters long hand-embroidered tapestry that was started in 2013 and completed in 2020. It is considered the longest tapestry in the world – the next being the ancient Bayeux Tapestry in France which was created in the 11th century and is 70 meters long.

Detail of stitch used to create the tapestry. See the Facebook Page for more photos.

For its North American tour in 2025, a section of the tapestry (20′) will be presented in a variety of communities across Canada and the USA including Metchosin, BC.

The Project

The project in Iceland to stitch the Brenna-Njáls saga in a new way far exceeded the organizer’s vision for a community-engaged embroidered tapestry. Christina M. Bengtsson and Gunnhildur Edda Kristjánsdóttir managed the project and brought people together to create the design of Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir, which realizes the saga story in a new way. The project attracted visitors and locals of all walks of life and ages from over 150 countries and every continent except Antarctica, to collaborate and hand-stitch this remarkable work. No experience was necessary as the stitches were taught to everyone who came to work on the tapestry.

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The project will be of interest to a broad range of people in the community who are interested in textiles – from artists to sheep farmers, stories and legends, ancient history, and amazing community engagement. A special, free two-day workshop will be held as well!

Event Details

We are so thrilled that Claudia Pétursson will be here all the way from Iceland to share the stories and insights about this fabulous project! Check out the MACCA website for complete details of the schedule here or see the schedule below to plan your visit.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE! Donations and voluntary ‘pay what you can’ are gratefully accepted. All proceeds go to support MACCA.

For questions or enquiries please contact us via email: create@studiohcanadaresidency.ca.

FREE EMBROIDERY WORKSHOPS:

The exhibition and events includes a two-day embroidery workshop using materials from the tapestry FREE to the community. Please register for the workshops here. A donation to MACCA at the door is gratefully appreciated. No supplies are necessary, everything will be provided. For keeners some additional embroidery kits will be available for purchase. It is recommended that you bring a water bottle and a note book!

FILM SCREENING: The Day Iceland Stood Still

The Day Iceland Stood Still is an inspiring documentary film about how, on October 24, 1975 the women of Iceland brought the country to a standstill by walking off their jobs and out of their homes to demand equal rights. The release of the film celebrates the 50th anniversary of this profound event which has made Iceland the “best place in the world for a woman today” (website quote). Check out the trailer below.

Please join us for the talk which begins at 6:30pm about the tapestry and followed by the film.

Entry to all events is free, but a voluntary pay what you can donation for MACCA is greatly appreciated!