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Splendour From Plant Dyes
Zemgale folk costume. Made by Valija Bērziņa (1916–2012) and Alise Stepaneka (1916–2002) in Germany, 1980s.
The Zemgale folk costume was made in Germany and once belonged to Līga Morusa. She entrusted the making of the folk costume to craftswomen. Valija Bērziņa, an experienced handicrafter in Würzburg, dyed the woolen threads with plant dyes and wove the cloth for the skirt. Alise Stepanek in Munich embroidered the folk costume’s shirt, wove the belt, and made the shawl. Līga wore the costume when performing with the Munich-based ensembles “Atvasara” and “Kas tie tādi”. After moving to Latvia, Līga often lent the folk costume to singer Zane Šmite to wear at concerts, song festivals, the “Baltica” folklore festival, and elsewhere. Several years ago, Līga gifted the Zemgale folk costume to Zane. When Zane Šmite performs in this folk costume, “everyone comes up to touch it because it is insanely beautiful!”
On loan from Zane Šmite.
Līga Morusa (on right) in her Zemgale folk costume celebrating Midsummer’s Eve in Latvia in 1999. In private collection of Līga Morusa.
Splendour From Plant Dyes