~ OIDFA HISTORY ~

A first meeting of lace lovers was held in Bruges, Belgium in September, 1981. In early 1982, the French lace centre of Le Puy-en-Velay proposed an international lace meeting and a work group was formed to study the possibility of an international lace organisation. The initiative taken in Bruges became a reality in Le Puy-en-Velay.

A draft constitution was drawn up and studied by twenty-four representatives from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The precise text of the constitution of OIDFA was signed by the participants of the work group.

The first OIDFA Bulletin appeared in 1983. The first General Assembly was held in Bruges in September, 1984, when over 600 participants chose a Council representing fourteen countries from all over the world.

In 2010 the international lace congress of Oidfa will be hold in Kobe. This congress is a premiere in the history of lace in Japan.
In the 19th century, there was a lace school in Yokohama. Let's take up the thread of history once more and assure that lace will make its way forever in Japan.

Around 30 years ago, I remember the first Japanese ladies coming to Bruges to study the European lace techniques. Now, we can admire lace masterpieces made by the same people. The Japanese lacemakers became very skillful. The professors are teaching their knowledge to many other Japanese people, who are eager to learn.

Lace made its way to Japan. It proofs that in the world of lace, there are no boundaries.
This year, Oidfa Japan made great effort to organize the congress in Kobe. Oidfa Japan is inviting people from all over the world to take advantage of the deep and rich culture of Japan.

Oidfa continues to grow, encouraging lacemakers throughout the world. Oidfa gives value to its international aim as the congresses will not only be held in Europe but in different continents.
The next three Congresses will be: 2010 in Kobe, Japan, 2012 in Caen, France and 2014 in Adelaide, Australia.
The Oidfa congress in Kobe will be a practice to use lace as a thread that connects international friendships.