Gera celebrates textile history: New exhibition in the museum impresses!

Gera celebrates textile history: New exhibition in the museum impresses!

A new exhibition is opening at the Museum of Applied Arts in Gera that sheds light on the exciting history of the textile industry. Amidst fabrics, textile patterns and original techniques, the exhibition provides a fascinating insight into an era in which Gera was one of the wealthiest cities in the German Empire. The first cloths were made here in the 13th century, and the city quickly became an important location for textile production. Particularly notable was the import of smooth, fine fabrics by Dutch religious refugees in the 16th century, which significantly increased the quality and variety of local products. MDR reports that Gera was known for its high-quality and colorful fabrics, which were even exported to Italy and India.

The exhibition not only addresses the development of fabrics, but also the political and social changes that the textile companies brought with them. The Morand & Co. worsted wool spinning mill in particular used steam engines to modernize and intensify production. An impressive detail of the exhibition is the section about the World War I period, when thread was made from torn paper to keep production going.

Economic history and change in the city

The economic importance of the textile industry in Gera can hardly be overestimated. In 1891 the woolen goods weaving mill achieved an annual turnover of 60 million Reichsmarks, and in 1894 the Brockhaus Lexicon reported around 190 factories in the city. Patifacts highlights that until 1990, sectors such as textile engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics, precision mechanics and optics dominated Gera's economy. But after reunification, the city experienced a drastic decline in textile production.

During the GDR era, VEB Modedruck Gera was particularly influential in the local industry. Colorful, printed fashion fabrics were the trademark of the company, which supplied exported fabrics to both the USSR and the West. Despite these successes, VEB Modedruck had to file for bankruptcy in 1996 and was taken over by MD Gera GmbH in 1999.

From heyday to bankruptcy

Gera’s development is a prime example of the dramatic change in the industry. In the 18th century the city was known as a center for fabric patterns, and until 1900 it was one of the wealthiest cities in the German Empire. During the period of industrialization, which began in East Germany, the importance of the textile industry increased immensely. Similar to England, many industries that grew out of textiles contributed to economic strength. Industrial culture East describes that the decline in textile production in Gera after 1990 was a bitter blow to the city, which not only had economic consequences, but also social consequences.

Christmas fabrics and designer pieces may be on the shelves of the museum today, but the last room in the exhibition should not be forgotten. Shown here is the “Bubu”, a garment made from “African damask”, which was manufactured by Getzner Textil AG in Gera and exported to Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Mauritania. This connection to the present and global markets is an impressive conclusion to the exhibition, which impressively showcases the long and eventful history of Gera's textile heritage.