[Reader-list] The new Indian carpet for the Tuschinsky theater (Cinema) in Amsterdam

[Patrice Riemens]

90 years ago, cultural entrepreneur Abraham Tuschinsky had a one-piece
mega-sized carpet made for his newly opened same-named theater, a jewel of
art deco in the center of Amsterdam.

http://www.locaties.nl/images/presentaties/pathe-tuschinski-theater/Persfoto.jpg

Due to heavy tear and wear, over these years the carpet had to be replaced
5 times, but it was always the same model and pattern, with a giant Polish
eagle on the top in honor of Abraham Tuschinsky's country of origin. Every
replacement was a new challenge however, due to the dimensions of the
carpet and the insistence it had to be made in one piece.

Since the last replacement, the Dutch factory that had made the 4th carpet
had gone under. This time relief was sought in India, where carpet-workers
laboured for 4 month to tie it up, at the rate of 19.800 knots per square
meter.

The thing, weighting close to a ton, had to be shipped to Amsterdam, as
airfreight would have been ruinous. It was lowered thru the roof of the
building by a crane, whereupon 12 athletes from the rowing club SKOL
helped to unroll it:

http://static2.parool.nl/static/photo/2012/15/15/13/album_large_1074313.jpg

And now it stands in full glory again, alas awaiting the insults of the
thousands of movie goers dirty boots, high heels and spilled beer that
will shorten its life to a mere fifteen years.

http://www.dvhn.nl/anp_images/article8716831.ece/BINARY/original/img-090112-191.onlineBild.jpg

Interestingly, Abraham Tuschinsky paid 25.000 guilders for the first
carpet in 1921. Now the cost of its fourth successor came to one lakh
Euro, which would covert to 221.500 guilders. Don't you think there is
something intersting here? (*)

Cheers, patrizio & Diiiinooos!

(*) Hint: the single letter rate in 1921 was 4c of a guilder. It is now 50
Eurocent (1,11 guilder)