Latest news with #WorldCraftsCouncil
Tatler Asia
11-08-2025
- Tatler Asia
What to know about Unesco and other international networks that guide savvy travellers
2. Unesco Creative Cities Network Above Kuching became a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021. It boasts a unique culinary heritage and vibrant food culture (Photo: Cecelia Chang / Unsplash) Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) spans seven fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Gastronomy, Design, Literature, Music, Media Arts and Film. The idea? To promote cities where creativity fuels sustainable urban development. While Unesco World Heritage Sites protect the tangible (think temples, ruins, landmarks), the UCCN celebrates the intangible: the making of things, the telling of stories, the flavours that define a people. Cities like Kyoto (Crafts), Bucheon (Literature) and Kuching (Gastronomy) aren't just tagged for prestige. Rather, they join a peer network that encourages cultural exchange, artisan development and local economic investment. For travellers, the designation is a soft guarantee: this is a place where art isn't just exhibited but also woven into daily life. See more: Handi-heritage: 10 craft cities and artisanal hubs in Asia worth visiting 3. World Crafts Council (WCC) Above In Indonesia, you can find towns painstakingly preserving traditional craft rituals, such as weaving (Photo: Camille Bismonte / Unsplash) Founded in 1964, the World Crafts Council (WCC) has long served as a global steward of handmade heritage. This non-profit, non-governmental organisation advocates for artisans around the world by promoting traditional craft as both a cultural touchstone and an engine of sustainable development. Under its banner, the World Craft Cities Network was launched to formally recognise towns where craftsmanship is not just preserved but vibrantly alive. To be named a World Craft City, a town must demonstrate a deep ecosystem of artisanship. Often, citizens have to show intergenerational skills, communal studios, local materials and formal mentorship pathways. These designations aren't just ceremonial. They help attract international visitors, spur government support and elevate once-local traditions onto the world stage. While the list skews heavily toward Asia—India, Iran, China, and Thailand all feature prominently—it's the variety that's most compelling. There's Isfahan for metalwork, Jaipur for blue pottery and Yogyakarta for batik. 4. ASEAN City of Culture Above Brunei's Bandar Seri Begawan became an ASEAN City of Culture in 2016 and held the title for two years (Photo: Random Freeloader / Pexels) Launched by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA), the ASEAN City of Culture designation is awarded every two years to a city in Southeast Asia that embodies the region's rich cultural diversity. Unlike Unesco, which chooses based on a more global lens, this program is deeply rooted in Southeast Asian identity and encourages cross-border festivals, residencies and heritage showcases. Notable past titleholders include Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and Yogyakarta in Indonesia, both of which have used the title to reinforce heritage conservation and youth-focused cultural events. 5. Cittaslow Above Changpyeong in Damyang County was recognised as South Korea's first Slow City by Cittaslow (Photo: 대정 김 / Pexels) Born in Italy but now a worldwide badge of mindful living, Cittaslow is an international network that champions small cities committed to slowing down. The point? To emphasise quality of life, sustainability and local heritage. A Cittaslow destination is often one of charming contradictions: a high-tech town with ancient bread ovens, or a medieval village with cutting-edge eco-policy. Whether it's Changpyeong in South Korea or Yuhu in China, what ties these towns together is an allegiance to local production, traditional knowledge and the unhurried pace of authentic travel. 6. Unesco Global Geoparks Above Langkawi, Malaysia is well-known for its ancient geological formations and diverse ecosystems, making it ideal for Unesco's Global Geoparks designation (Photo: Simon Wiedensohler / Unsplash) Unesco's Global Geoparks may seem the domain of geology buffs, but these certified sites are just as much about cultural storytelling as they are about tectonic shifts. Covering entire landscapes shaped by time and tectonics, these parks protect not only fossils and rock strata, but also the human narratives etched into them—from ancient agricultural practices to animist beliefs tied to the land. In Asia, Langkawi in Malaysia and Jeju Island in South Korea both exemplify this fusion. Visitors can hike volcanic ridges by day and witness shamanic rituals or traditional salt-harvesting by dusk—where natural and cultural heritage exist side by side. 7. UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages Above Miyama Village is 50 kilometres north of Kyoto. It actively promotes sustainable agriculture for land conservation and to encourage a decarbonized society (Photo: Kansai explorer / Wikimedia Commons) Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism honours rural destinations that champion sustainability, cultural heritage, and community-led tourism. As of 2024, over 180 villages across nearly 60 countries have earned the title, with an additional 70 joining the Upgrade Programme for future development. Villages are selected based on nine criteria, including cultural preservation, environmental sustainability and local economic resilience. This isn't just a badge of honour; recognised villages gain access to global networks, expert mentorship and funding opportunities. Recent honorees like Dhudmaras, India, have used the spotlight to improve infrastructure while preserving tradition, making the program a catalyst for real-world change. For travellers, this list offers a fresh lens into lesser-known but richly storied places worth visiting.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
World Craft status for city's jewellery trade
Birmingham's global influence in jewellery making has been recognised by being granted World Craft City Status. World Crafts Council President, Saad Al-Qaddumi, said the title celebrated the city's "rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry." Only eight other cities in Europe have been awarded the title. This includes Stoke-on-Trent which was awarded the status last year for its pottery craft. The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) said the award "signifies a landmark moment for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, placing the city's historic Jewellery Quarter firmly on the global stage." Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter sits close to the city centre and has been a manufacturing centre for more than 200 years. Shops only started to appear in the 1970s when manufacturers decided to sell to individual customers. To get the status, an international judging panel visited the School of Jewellery, established in 1890 and situated in a Grade II-listed building on Vittoria Street, where they took part in a silversmithing workshop and viewed the artistry and craftsmanship of current students. Elsewhere in the Jewellery Quarter, judges stopped at the Birmingham Assay Office, Cooksongold, and the historic Coffin Works. Birmingham's bid was led by JQDT and Birmingham City Council, while being supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company. Matthew Bott, the chair of JQDT, said: "This is a moment of real pride - not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for Birmingham and the West Midlands. "We've always known the value of what happens here, and now the world does too. Our thanks go to everyone who helped us reach this point, and we look forward to working with partners old and new to build on this incredible foundation." With the designation now confirmed, the JQDT, supported by city curator Alex Nicholson-Evans, says it will use this recognition as a springboard for further ambition, starting with launching the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial, the UK's jewellery festival. Envisaged as a citywide celebration, plans for the biennial include open studios, jewellery fairs, heritage tours, a trade conference and a flagship exhibition - shining a spotlight on internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talent, selected through a UK-wide open call. JQDT also says the new status opens the door to international partnerships, funding opportunities and collaborative projects - for the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, and the West Midlands. A spokesperson for JQDT said: "With both the Jewellery Quarter and Stoke-on-Trent now recognised as World Craft Cities, the West Midlands is fast becoming a national leader in championing craft as culture. " Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Jewellery students want to save 'dying art' Pottery city wins global recognition for craft JQDT World Crafts Council Birmingham City Council Birmingham Jewellery Biennial
Arab Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Sadu Society celebrates designation of Kuwait as 'World Crafts City' for Sadu
KUWAIT CITY, May 20: Al-Sadu Society hosted a celebration on Monday to commemorate Kuwait's recognition as a "World Crafts City" for Sadu weaving by the World Crafts Council (WCC). This prestigious acknowledgment highlights the nation's ongoing efforts to preserve the traditional craft of Sadu weaving. The event, which runs until Thursday, is held under the patronage of Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. Among the attendees were Al-Asimah Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Mohammad Al-Jassar, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), Sheikh Athbi Salem Al-Salem Al-Sabah, General Supervisor of the Kuwait (Shift 10) competition, as well as various ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives from the World Crafts Council. Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Sabah, Chairman of Al-Sadu Society, expressed her pride at Kuwait's new designation as a "World Crafts City." She highlighted the craft's deep connection to the Kuwaiti identity and the skill of Kuwaiti women, who transform natural resources into intricate artistic creations that have been preserved in the collective memory of the nation. Mohammad Al-Jassar remarked that this international recognition of Kuwait underscores the country's commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage and ensuring its transmission to future generations. WCC delegation leader, President Saad Al-Qaddoumi, expressed his delight at the announcement, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Sadu Society and its honorary leader, Sheikha Altaf Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, as well as the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters. The event also saw the launch of the "Shift Kuwait" competition, organized by the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award. This year's competition aims to raise awareness about the Sadu craft and strengthen its presence, particularly among the youth.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poland exchange scheme opens for young ceramicists
Young ceramics artists are being offered a chance to take part in an exchange with fellow potters in Poland. The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB), an arts organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, has launched a scheme to connect the city's artists with those in Bolesławiec. Stoke-on-Trent's role in the pottery industry dates back hundreds of years and the city has been recognised by the World Crafts Council for its contributions. Six local artists, aged 18-24, will be selected for the exchange for a week-long trip to Bolesławiec in August, when the Polish city hosts its annual ceramics festival. Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry has been under pressure recently despite its international acclaim, with the Royal Stafford firm collapsing and Portmeirion Group announcing job losses last month. The GMB Union has cited rising energy bills as one of the challenges facing the two firms. BCB runs a series of programmes to support the UK's ceramicists, as well as hosting its biennial in Stoke-on-Trent every two years. Under another exchange scheme, up to 12 local artists will be able to go on a seven-month digital exchange, with the British and Polish teams connecting and sharing ideas online. Six artists will be selected from this cohort for the August visit, with six Polish artists doing a return visit to Stoke-on-Trent in 2026. BCB is calling for Stoke-on-Trent applicants who have experience in ceramics and have faced financial barriers, such as being eligible for free school meals. "We especially want to reach out to people who might not have had the chance to take part in something like this before," Clare Wood, BCB's artistic director and chief executive, said in a statement. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Calls to support city's pottery industry Ceramicists speak of fears for pottery industry City's pottery history documented in exhibition 'How many more blows can the pottery industry take?' British Ceramics Biennial
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Poland exchange scheme offered to Stoke's young ceramicists
Young ceramics artists are being offered a chance to take part in an exchange with fellow potters in British Ceramics Biennial (BCB), an arts organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, has launched a scheme to connect the city's artists with those in Bolesł role in the pottery industry dates back hundreds of years and the city has been recognised by the World Crafts Council for its local artists, aged 18-24, will be selected for the exchange for a week-long trip to Bolesławiec in August, when the Polish city hosts its annual ceramics festival. Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry has been under pressure recently despite its international acclaim, with the Royal Stafford firm collapsing and Portmeirion Group announcing job losses last GMB Union has cited rising energy bills as one of the challenges facing the two firms. Digital exchange BCB runs a series of programmes to support the UK's ceramicists, as well as hosting its biennial in Stoke-on-Trent every two another exchange scheme, up to 12 local artists will be able to go on a seven-month digital exchange, with the British and Polish teams connecting and sharing ideas artists will be selected from this cohort for the August visit, with six Polish artists doing a return visit to Stoke-on-Trent in is calling for Stoke-on-Trent applicants who have experience in ceramics and have faced financial barriers, such as being eligible for free school meals."We especially want to reach out to people who might not have had the chance to take part in something like this before," Clare Wood, BCB's artistic director and chief executive, said in a statement. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
