The World, Through Craft
Of course, some parts of the world are already inextricably linked with their most famous crafts—we probably don't need to introduce you to Moroccan rug weaving or Indian block printing. But a rising number of less exposed craft movements are landing on traveler's radars, or in some cases, be rewarded with a long-awaited resurrection. In the collection of stories below, we spotlight five of them. Yulia Denisyuk travels to Okinawa to visit its bingata textile workshops—a quiet symbol of resilience in a Japanese prefecture that still bears the scars of war. Ashlea Halpern uncovers a similar legacy in Bosnia, but in the form of Konjic woodcarving, a UNESCO-recognized art form that has been passed down through generations, its artisans having never stopped sourcing materials from the same local forest. In Andalusia, Spain, the country's rich equestrian culture still fuels its greatest craft: leatherwork, but which is now, as Nicola Chilton discovers, entering a new era in high fashion.
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Condé Nast Traveler
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The World, Through Craft
Like recipes or songs, crafts are the fingerprints of our histories. Some are the byproducts of traditional ways of life, like functional objects designed to be used daily, but also beautiful in their artistry. Others began their lives as purely decorative pieces, and over the years have evolved into something that holds far greater weight. All are celebrations of the vast scope of human creativity and ingenuity, preserved and shaped by artisans working to ensure their traditions thrive in an ever-changing world. It makes sense, then, that crafts are also a portal through which a traveler can experience a place—and its people—in a deeper way. Of course, some parts of the world are already inextricably linked with their most famous crafts—we probably don't need to introduce you to Moroccan rug weaving or Indian block printing. But a rising number of less exposed craft movements are landing on traveler's radars, or in some cases, be rewarded with a long-awaited resurrection. In the collection of stories below, we spotlight five of them. Yulia Denisyuk travels to Okinawa to visit its bingata textile workshops—a quiet symbol of resilience in a Japanese prefecture that still bears the scars of war. Ashlea Halpern uncovers a similar legacy in Bosnia, but in the form of Konjic woodcarving, a UNESCO-recognized art form that has been passed down through generations, its artisans having never stopped sourcing materials from the same local forest. In Andalusia, Spain, the country's rich equestrian culture still fuels its greatest craft: leatherwork, but which is now, as Nicola Chilton discovers, entering a new era in high fashion.
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