Paper Short Abstract:

In villages in the Brno agglomeration, we can currently observe the phenomenon of revitalization of traditional folk clothing. This issue raises questions about the transformation of its materials or functions, acceptance in local communities, and to what extent it functions as a sign of identity.

Paper Abstract:

Especially at the beginning of the 21st century, in villages in the Moravian agglomeration of Brno we encounter the revival of local traditional folk clothing. This is an area that was industrialised relatively early, which also led to the relatively early disappearance of this phenomenon - often in the middle of the 19th century. At the time of the Czech national revival, its functions were partly taken over by “national costumes”, which have survived in some localities to this day.

This paper will discuss the traditional folk dress in the western part of the agglomeration and the functions it fulfilled for its wearers or local communities. The reasons for its disappearance and its replacement by "national costumes" will be presented.

Particular attention will be paid to the current state of the costume, showing the main motivations leading to its renewal or continued wearing, transformation in of the functions towards the wearers and local communities. In this context, it will be addressed to what extent it serves as a means of expressing the identity of the wearers in social interactions that usually occur within local ethno-cultural traditions.

The strong influence of memory institutions on the resulting form of revitalised clothing will also be highlighted in relation to the current situation. Here the problems of the lack of traditional materials on the market and the influence of globalisation in transforming the material aspect of the phenomenon.