Funded by the European UnionCERV PROGRAMME · GRANT AGREEMENT NO. 101289564Italy & Spain · A European twinning partnership
Two communities, a common thread.
Sarule and Alcaraz come together through the art of weaving on vertical looms.
TWIN LOOMS — Sarule–Alcaraz: vertical looms connecting Europe
01 / The project
A loom is a meeting place. Between hands and materials, between one generation and the next, between two European communities.
Trame Gemelle — TWIN LOOMS brings together the tradition of sa burra from Sarule, Sardinia, and that of the alfombras de Alcaraz, in Castilla-La Mancha. Artisans, citizens and institutions share techniques, stories and ways of safeguarding their heritage.
Funded by the European CERV programme, the twinning partnership brings these skills into a shared discussion on European citizenship, inclusion and the participation of younger generations.
An initiative strongly championed by the Mayor of Sarule, Maurizio Sirca, to promote the local textile heritage and build a lasting partnership with Alcaraz.
02 / The towns
Distinct traditions find common ground for learning and exchange in the vertical loom.
Sardinia · Italy
Sa burra
A weaving tradition that tells the story of community life through its colours and patterns. The weavers preserve skills and knowledge to share with younger generations.
Castilla-La Mancha · Spain
Alfombras de Alcaraz
The loom known as alto lizo and the technique of nudo español are at the heart of a craft heritage that meets its Sardinian counterpart, opening up new opportunities to compare materials and processes.
03 / The events
An exchange between Sardinia and Spain, built through direct encounters between the communities.
18–20 SEPTEMBER 2026
Sa burra and vertical looms
as shared European heritage.
The first stage of the twinning partnership during Autunno in Barbagia – Cortes Apertas: an opportunity for dialogue between the Alcaraz delegation, weavers, artisans and the local community.
Explore the first event ↗
Inside the first meeting
The story of the three days, the photographs and the voices collected in Sarule. Explore the archive and download the EDS and official agenda.
Revisit the meeting ↗04 / Our shared journey
Craft skills create opportunities for learning, participation and European cooperation.
Compare techniques, materials and decorative motifs. Connect artisans with young people and recognise women’s role in the history of weaving.
Collect testimonies and content for the project’s planned multilingual Toolkit and audiovisual materials, making this knowledge accessible to a wider audience.
Prepare the Sarule–Alcaraz Twinning Charter and a proposal for a future European network of weaving towns, with citizens and institutions playing an active role.
05 / News and resources
European support
The CERV programme supports town twinning and encounters between citizens, promoting the European Union’s shared values.
Original documents and media retain their original language. The EDS and agenda are available in English; videos are not dubbed or subtitled.
With the support of Focus Europe ETS
For information about the project and twinning activities.
