Unversity of Art and Design Halle takes over Staatliche Textil- und Gobelinmanufaktur

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On May 6 2014, the Burg Giebichstein University of Art and Design signed the purchase and transfer contract of the Staatliche Textil- und Gobelinmanufaktur (state-owned textile- and tapestry manufactory) in Halle. The move to the textile manufactories‘ new building on the campus of the Burg Giebichstein University of Art and Design Halle will complete the integration.

Historical gobelin tapestry, fine embroidery and handmade paraments were produced in the manufactory. By integrating the manufactory in the university, the opportunities for students like trying out weaving looms, learning traditional handcraft techniques and gaining experience about the restoration process of precious gobelin tapestry are maintained.

By order of October 16, 2012 the government of Saxony-Anhalt had decided to shut down the Staatliche Textil- und Gobelinmanufaktur Halle GmbH. Since then, the textile manufactory and the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle are closely cooperating in teaching and research. With the now signed purchase and transfer contract, the inventory and fixed assets of the liquidated Staatliche Textil- und Gobelinmanufaktur Halle GmbH i. L. have been made available to the university. Personnel of the former textile manufactory were employed. The teaching and research activities as well further training can be continued in the usual manner.

Since 2007, the Deputy Chairman of the Initiative Deutsche Manufakturen – Handmade-in-Germany, Prof. Bettina Göttke-Krogmann, is a professor for textile design at the Burg Giebichstein University of Art and Design Halle. The Initiative Deutsche Manufakturen – Handmade-in-Germany welcomes the preservation and appreciation of manufactories, as exemplified by the purchase and transfer of the Textil- und Gobelinmanufaktur.

Further, the takeover of the textile manufactory strengthens the existence and coherence of craftsmen and manufactories in the New Laender. Most manufactories are centuries old, and as such, they are an integral part of national culture and very deeply intertwined with the history of entire regions. The manufactories of the New Laender are a substantial part of East-German enterprise history and their products, such as Meissen porcelain or Kösen plush toys, have long been an important part of East German identity. The textile manufactory and the University of Art and Design cooperated with various manufactories from the region; the glass manufactory Derenburg is still a partner of the university.

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