“We feel like we’ve won an Oscar!” Finola O’Mahony, the Tourism Ireland Head of Europe, can hardly list all the accomplishments the Game of Thrones Tapestry represents, perhaps because this extraordinary endeavour is so multi-faceted. One crucial aspect is the craft: every inch is embroidered (as is the original Bayeux tapestry) and woven by hand, with local linen, the making of which is deeply embedded in Northern Ireland’s history.
Another crucial element is the connection with another European town through culture. In this respect, the apparently genuine appreciation with which the Bayeusiens have approached this ode to their precious legacy is in itself a thing to behold. Perhaps this project is special because it’s something new – not a copy, but an original, modern nod to an old way of telling stories.
This ties into another crucial sentiment expressed by the team which brought
the project to fruition: the desire to make something real, which would last. Not merely a reference to the series and to the fact that it was filmed in their country, but something tangible, important in and of itself, which could reflect the very real impact Game of Thrones has had on Northern Ireland as the place where the battle of Blackwater Bay was fought, but also, among other things, as a producer of filmmaking expertise.
Aside from all this context in which the tapestry was born, the work itself doesn’t disappoint. Not only is the care and creativity which went into the project evident on account of its beauty, more importantly, it’s also evident in the creative ways in which 8 seasons-worth of story have been remarkably condensed into 88 metres of fabric. Multiple scenes from the series are conveyed through what can be captured in a single photograph, with, for fans at least, none of the feeling being lost.
In fact, going through the entire story in ten minutes (the first time, that is), can prove to be quite the emotional roller-coaster. As a consequence, it might even lead to a true realization of the legacy of tapestries, as well as other ancient image-based storytelling devices. And then, another odd and unexpected feeling of surprise might stem from the experience, as one might suddenly be reminded of what a great tale it all was, and still is.
tourismni.com, Northern Ireland Tourism.
