Allo (Nettle) workshop and exhibition was held in Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat, Kathmandu from 6th to 15th February, 2004. Eight professional weavers from London Guild of Weavers and sixteen nettle weavers and knitters from four VDCs of Sankhuwasava district, Mangtewa, Tanku, Bala and Sisuwa had participated in the workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to respond to the weavers, request for help with Allo product development and marketing and to follow the suggestions of Late John Dunsmore had made in the preliminary draft report for HARP (Hill Agriculture Research Project) in October 2000. During the workshop, various activities such as weaving, stitching, braiding, knitting cloths, finishing, spinning, dyeing and felting of allo textiles were carried out.
The importance of Allo plant, it’s fiber extraction, cultivation and marketing of Allo product as well as necessary future plans were discussed at the talk program delivered by the invited speakers on seven different days. The equipments for the workshop brought by the trust fund were handed over to the Allo Club Production Centre (ACPC) repectively.
On the final day of the workshop, an exhibition program of Allo products took place. The representatives of various embassies, hotels and other different organizations along with individuals including media personnel observed the exhibition.
Ms. Ang Diku Sherpa of Mountain Spirit had taken the sole responsibility of coordinating the international workshop and exhibition. Textile designer and promoter Ms. Sherpa has a long experience on Allo production. John Dunsmore Memorial Textile Fund, UK had funded the workshop and exhibition.
