UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES AND /Introduction

The Crafts and Folk Art book is the world as a real trip among the a communication created different continents - promoting with the aim of promoting and artisanal traditions, creative arts as enhancing 20 creative cities of well as natural and urban jewels. the UNESCO Network - which This first review of cluster is represent the Crafts and Folk Art aimed at giving a contribution section - with illustrations and to the promotion of this section general presentations of the cities. of the UNESCO network and at The order of appearance, after supporting the Creative Cities Fabriano, leading city of the cluster, Network. Its objective is to reinforce has been defined according to the the international collaboration date of admission to the Network: among the cities that consider Aswan (Egypt), Kanazawa (), creativity a strategic factor for Icheon (), Hangzhou the sustainable development and (China), Jacmel (Haiti), Jingdezhen element of attractiveness. (China), Nassau (Bahamas), This is an open project towards Paducah (USA), Pekalongang new cities that will soon be part (), Santa Fe (USA), of the Network and that, with their Suzhou (China), Al Ahsa (Saudi projects, will enrich the wide offer Arabia), Bamiyan (Afghanistan), already illustrated in the book. Duran (Ecuador), Isfahan (), Jaipur (), Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo), San Cristobal de Las Casas (), and Sasayama (Japan). The publication of the book has been possible thanks to the Cities of the cluster and the Secretariat of the UNESCO Network - that have contributed to enrich the book with documents, texts and photos. The book describes the specific characteristics of all creative cities and makes them known all over FABRIANO /7

Fabriano, Italian town in the Marche Region, in the heart of City of the Apennines, was designated UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art on October 18th, 2013. painters, smiths Town of painters, and paper masters, mastri chartai, Fabriano is famous all over the and master world for the production of paper – a long history of production from the 13th century papermakers to our days. The paper is deeply linked to creativity, both for its production and for its use. The International Gothic. Fabriano was tradition of the town, and Fabriano greatest technological innovation a centre of production and trade, began the progressive, profound that has characterized the activity where many artisanal activities transformation from industrial of the paper mills in Fabriano since were deeply intertwined with art: city to creative city. The artisanal the 13th century is the Watermark: over the centuries, the well-known manufacturing sector joins new an economic resource, a symbol skills and the creativity of qualified technologies: on this tradition of social prestige, an expression artisans from Fabriano helped the based on the artisanship are laid of creativity, promotion and artistic development of manufacturing the foundations allowing to face production - the watermark is activities that over time became new and future challenges, thanks still today the main element of leading industries worldwide. to new expressions of cutting-edge technological innovation and Recently the global crisis and artisanship - an artisanship that a guarantee of exclusivity and the evolution of markets at an is more creative, more innovative uniqueness. international level have caused and closer to the digital world and Creating, elaborating, and profound changes in the production to new technologies, towards an producing are the features of the network and, therefore, new economy profoundly connected to community of Fabriano - the same strategies for local development the digital industry. that characterized the town in the are needed: the fusion between New urban policies are focused on prosperous age of the Renaissance the traditional manufacturing the following aspects: sustainable when the local painting school industries and the cultural and development, cohesion of the flourished with the painter Gentile, creative industries is taking place local community, social inclusion, one of the greatest artists of the again, in line with the original new types of work focused on a /8 /9

digital, circular and sharing-based economy, with the support of the public and private sectors, with the aim of creating new initiatives that include in their ‘know-how’ new and old generations of artisans. Therefore, Fabriano promoted creativity and different types of art thanks to events, exhibitions, and festivals, such as the different editions of Poiesis - an international event created and directed by Francesca Merloni, connected to the Festival “Diversité Culturelle” that took place in Paris, between poetry, art, literature, cinema and . As UNESCO Creative City, Fabriano attended the UCCN Annual Meetings of Chengdu 2014, Kanazawa 2015 and Ostersund 2016. Moreover, the city gave its scientific contribution to the Second Conference of the Creative Cities Summit held in Beijing in 2016 and to the and Folk art, Torino and Saint the Italian Creative Cities of the conference “Valuing and Evaluating Etienne, Creative Cities of Design, UNESCO Network - including Creativity for Sustainable Regional Enghien les Bains, Creative City , City of Music, leading Development (VEC)” organised in of Media Arts, and Zahlé, Creative city, Fabriano, City of Crafts and 2016 by the Mid University . Folk Art, Torino, City of Design, in Östersund. In October 2016, the event “Luogo Parma, City of Gastronomy, Roma, Fabriano Creative City also comune” was held in Fabriano: for - was signed with the organised the Fabriano Forum three days the debate was about objective of creating a National that was attended in 2014 by philosophy, politics, writing, art, Coordinating Body aimed at making Hangzhou, Kanazawa, Paducah digital technologies, and music the strategies and actions in the and Santa Fe, Creative Cities of which are considered to Network and both at the national Crafts and Folk art, and Bologna, encourage the discussion about and international level more Creative City of Music and in 2015 the contemporary city and rethink effective and more synergistic. by Icheon, Jacmel, Jingdezhen, it. In the framework of this event, Paducah, Creative Cities of Crafts an Agreement protocol between ASWAN /11 EGYPT

Located in Upper Egypt on the border between Egypt and Swan, Welcome in about 3 million people, Aswan is gate of southern Egypt. It is a tourist city characterized by Aswan, the city diversity in the field of tourism. Cultural tourism in a number of archaeological temples such as of creativity the Temple of Abu Simbel and the Temple of Villa , where he built the Nubia Museum for the preservation and heritage of the Nubian heritage and also the Museum of the Nile to preserve the environmental heritage and brightness of the sun. from the sons of Nubia, , the dissemination of culture of It is the high dam that produces Basharites, and the sons of the conservation of water resources electricity for all of Egypt. It has tribes of Ababdah Including mines and pillars containing the contents the symbol of Russian-Egyptian and quarries and many metals of the heritage of the Nile Basin friendship.The University of Aswan such as granite, talc and gold and countries. is a lighthouse for science and Women work to revive heritage and Eco-tourism : The Wadi Al- the branch of the Arab Academy . Alaki Nature Reserve is a for Science and International Nubia Museum biosphere reserve with areas for Transport. There are many schools The area of Aswan and its environmental studies, as well as and available to surroundings was the northernmost the Salogah and Ghazal Islands. everyone. It has the most beautiful part of a country known as Nubia or Medical tourism : It has the best landscape and garden of Asian the “Land of Gold” in ancient times. areas for the treatment of bone and African plants. Aswan is the With the of the diseases using Aswan sands. city of creativity, heritage and City Aswan High Dam in the 1960’s, Safari tourism: It is the second of peace. Aswan is nominated monuments and villages in the Nile largest industrial lake in the world to become a learning city within Valley of Nubia were threatened is Lake Nasser and the province the World Network of Learning with submersion under the rising seeks to establish projects to Cities. Which was dubbed by the waters of the reservoir (Lake produce electricity from solar President el Sisi: Aswan as the City Nasser). To rescue this important energy, where the sun’s brightness of Culture and African Economy. and ancient heritage, the Egyptian 365 days a year and the highest It has a diversity of human beings government appealed to the /12 /13

UNESCO seeking help. As a result, in November 1997. The complex, an immense international apparatus which was designed by the late was formed to excavate and record Egyptian architect Mahmoud hundreds of sites. Due to the al-Hakim, reflects the traditional importance of the material that was character of the Nubian architecture recovered from tombs, temples and and it won the Agha-Khan Award of settlements, UNESCO planned a Architecture in 2001. The museum museum in Aswan to exhibit the has also a beautiful garden with unique Nubian heritage. Besides, water-falls, palm trees, flowers, many temples such as the ones at and climbing bushes, spread Abu Simbel and Philae sites were around natural rocks. There is disassembled and reconstructed on also an amphitheatre for local and higher grounds. international music and dance Nubia Museum opened its doors performances. KANAZAWA/14 /15 JAPAN

Ever since 1583, the year when economy of Kanazawa in which Toshiie Maeda assumed power culture and industry are strongly at Kanazawa Castle as Lord of linked. The central cityscape the Maeda Domain, the city of offers a glimpse into Kanazawa’s Kanazawa has been free enjoying rich history. It includes numerous over 430 years of peace during temples and shrines, the geisha which a unique samurai culture house district, the enclosed moats, evolved alongside a diverse array and a network of canals. At the of unusual crafts and folk arts. same time, many commercial Crafts and folk arts are deeply complexes, cafes, galleries and rooted in the lives of the people of studios can also be found in Kanazawa, cultivating within them the centre. The city welcomes a a rich aesthetic sensitivity and are constant flow of new faces. The Creativity and tradition coexist in harmony

fined sense of craftsmanship. The Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of creative spirit of Kanazawa has Contemporary Art, which opened in given birth to numerous successful 2004, received more than 2.5million niche companies which have visitors from Japan and overseas maintained a close cooperation in 2016. The beautiful modern with the region during their architecture of the “Tsuzumi-mon” development. This, in turn, has Gate at Kanazawa Station recalls given rise to the uniquely creative images of the drums used in Noh /16 /17

The presence of numerous artisan community are working together workshops in the midst of its on a variety of initiatives to market traditional cityscape characterizes the culture, cultivate talent, and to Kanazawa as a City of Crafts. reach out to a worldwide audience. Craftwork continues to play an Since being designated a UNESCO important part of the city’s daily life Creative City, Kanazawa has and its traditional lifestyle. Elegant, engaged with the Creative Cities traditionally crafted tableware, for Network to promote exchange and instance, enhance the flavours of share knowledge and experiences. dishes as an indispensable part of The city hosted the UNESCO Kanazawa’s gastronomic culture, Meeting which traces its origins to feudal KANAZAWA 2015 in May of that times. year and it continues to contribute to the promotion of discussion between network members. By serving as a meeting place for people, products and information from around the world and by working to create new value through interchange, Kanazawa aims to be not only a Creative City but also a permanently developing hub of exchange. In Kanazawa, government and

Encouraging future artisans at the Kanazawa Utatsuyama Kogei Kobo ICHEON /19 SOUTH KOREA

The area of Icheon City is 461 km2 and occupies 4.5% of the area in The city Gyeonggi-do Province. Located about 30 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Icheon City of culture and is in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Geographically, Icheon is located exactly in the center of creativity Korean peninsula. Icheon is a key transportation nexus, connected by Yeongdong and Jungbu The population of Icheon City was Icheon assure that not only its expressways, and intersected by 217,358(foreign nationals: 6,320) cultural dignity is up to international National Road No. 3 and National at the end of March, 2017, and high level, but also its citizen could Road No. 42. statistics reveal a steady annual have a strong pride as a advanced Meteorologically, the average increase in population. cultural civilian. annual rainfall and the average Icheon as a member of UCCN Icheon city presently boasts of annual temperature in this Icheon, gained a glorious title being the largest center of region are 1,315 mm and 11°C, UNESCO Creative City (category: industry in Gyeonggido region, respectively. Icheon has a Crafts and Folk Art) on 20 July 2010 which includes Icheon, Yeoju, and temperate climate, with four distinct by UNESCO. Gwangju, with 55% of domestic seasons. Due to this strong momentum, ceramic industry clustered here. /20 /21

The city has truly established crafts, the festivals held in Icheon, itself as the only city of crafts in for instance, The World Ceramic Korea that is well equipped with Biennale, Icheon International all necessary infrastructure related Symposium and Icheon to crafts such as many talented Ceramic Festival have continuously artisans and artists, commercial been running well every year. and industrial enterprises, cultural Icheon hopes to seize this and art figures, galleries, museums, opportunity provided by UNESCO’s high schools specialized ceramics, Creative Cities Network to develop Icheon World Ceramic Center, Korea global cultures, promote cultural Institute of Ceramic Engineering diversity, and contribute to human and Technology, various research co-prosperity by disseminating and educational institutes, and knowledge and understanding support facilities, and Korea’s only of Korean traditional craft culture specialized ceramic industry zone, as well as acceleration for its and government’s institutional development of cultural industries support, etc. and overseas expansion for its In addition, on the foundation of regional artists and artisans into the various infrastructures related to worldwide market. HANGZHOU /23 CHINA Historical and cultural city

Hangzhou is one of China’s seven meters with nine districts and four its rich resources and favorable ancient capitals, historical and counties under its jurisdiction, environment for comprehensive cultural cities and international and a permanent population of urban development, Hangzhou scenic-tourist city, with a city the city is 8.8 million. Marco Polo, has not only promptly established history of 5000 years. It is not the famous Italian Traveler in the four advantages—“economically only the capital but also the 13th Century spent one fifteenth developed city, famous cultural city, Economic, Cultural, and Science of his travels describing the scenic resort and silicon valley in Education Center of Zhejiang spectacularity of Hangzhou. He heaven”, but also become one of Province, and it conveniently regarded Hangzhou as “the city of the most creative and innovative located Near Shanghai. The city heaven” and “the finest and most cities in China due to its excellent covers an area of 16,600 square splendid city in the world”. With entrepreneurial environment. /24 /25

National cultural & creative center

Hangzhou is the central city in and leisure and tourism industries. City of crafts Southeast China. The goal of city According to statistics, from is to take advantage of Hangzhou’s 2007 to 2013, the added value of and folk art beautiful natural environment, Cultural & Creative Industries in rich history and culture, good Hangzhou is 6.5% higher than that On 10 April 2012, Hangzhou social and economic environment, of the city’s GDP in average. In (People’s Republic of China) joined facilitate the upgrading of its 2013, the added value of Cultural UNESCO Creative Cities Network secondary and tertiary industries & Creative Industries in Hangzhou as “City of Crafts and Folk Art”. by the development of the cultural was RMB 135.95 billion Yuan, and There is a variety of techniques & creative industry, achieve the contributed 16.29% to the GDP. embodied the Crafts and Folk Art harmony among environment, By the end of 2013, the enterprises of Hangzhou, such as Silk culture and economy, and make involved in the Cultural & Creative Techniques, West Lake Longjing Hangzhou a city of creation with Industries in Hangzhou employ Green Tea Making Techniques international influence. more than 323.1 thousand people. and Stone Carving of Xiling Seal In 2010, the Chinese government UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Engraver’s Society. In the near clarified the strategic position of Art, The City of Animation, The future, Hangzhou will further perfect Hangzhou as the “National Cultural E-commerce capital of China, The development policies, optimize & Creative Center”, and Hangzhou Female Costume Capital of China the environment for cultural & aim at promoting the development have been the Resplendent Pearl creative industry, produce the of cultural & creative industries of Hangzhou. manpower and the expertise, and enhance foreign exchange, improve the inheritance, protection and innovative utilization of Crafts and Folk Art, and also, making the cultural & creative industry of Hangzhou more competitive in the world, to be the key location of -Pacific region for the Creative Cities Network. JACMEL /27 HAITI Culture, Caribbean traditions, art and crafts

A city known for its rich heritage, traditions, art and crafts. The professional crafts and folk arts radiant carnival and singular Carnival of Jacmel, known for associations. This event attracts know-how, Jacmel is proud of its its creativity and exceptional thousands of Haitians as well as history as a hospitable city and originality, is the starting point for tourists from around the world. a prosperous trading port. In the the creative development of the The challenge is now to revive wake of the January 12th 2010 city: its painting, sculpture and this vibrant component of Haiti’s earthquake, Jacmel is preserving giant papier-mâché masks being culture. and enhancing its invaluable anchored deep in local traditions. Jacmel’s Carnival celebrations are tangible and intangible heritage. Every year the carnival brings famous across Haiti, and every year Jacmel is investing in its renewal together the know-how of craft art thousands of partygoers descend on through promoting culture, artists in collaboration with many the city to take part in this fantastic /28 /29

spectacle. Jacmel turns into one celebrations continuing late into the giant street theater for the event: it’s night. a world away from the sequins and “Destination Jacmel” focuses on sparkle of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. the restoration and protection The Carnival season starts its of the historic center in order buildup in late January, with events to develop cultural tourism. In every Sunday leading up to the passing on Jacmel’s traditions giant celebrations and procession to future generations, collective on the Sunday of the week before memory is both preserved and Shrove Tuesday. The streets celebrated. The cultural richness suddenly swell and everywhere of Haiti is also marked by many you look are strange figures in artistic personalities, including fantastical papier-mâché masks painter Préfètte Duffaut, writer Rene – the signature image of Jacmel Depestre and the poet Pommeyrac Carnival. Music is everywhere, from Alcibiades, who endowed Jacmel bands on organized floats to rara with this exceptional motto (one of the most popular forms of “Jacmel, Sursum corda! “ (Jacmel, Haitian music) outfits on foot. It’s higher and higher!). This motto still an enormous party. The procession resonates today in the heart of all kicks off roughly around noon, with Jacmeliens. JINGDEZHEN /31 CHINA

The millennial porcelain capital

As recorded, Xinping, former name In fact, the history of the city reflects mind to the outside. for Jingdezhen, started making the history of ceramic development According to the archaeological in late Han Dynasty (206BC- in China. For thousands of years, discovery and documentary records, 220AD). Jingdezhen is the world- Jingdezhen has exerted tremendous Jingdezhen has been making famous capital of porcelain and influence on the development of pottery since Neolithic period and called one of China’s four famous ceramic industry in the world, and formed a certain size of porcelain towns in history. Jingdezhen is also thus it’s famed as the Porcelain production before 1700 years ago one of the first 24 Famous Chinese Capital. Jingdezhen is a millennium in the late East Han Dynasty, then Historical and Cultural Cities ancient town with a long history of reached a peak in Qing Dynasty approved by the State Council in ceramic making and the porcelain after the development of Tang, Song 1982. Jingdezhen has won the titles capital of the world with an open- and Yuan Dynasty. industry, serving of China Top Tourist City, National Ecological Garden City, National Civilized & Sanitary City, Jiangxi Province Advanced City to Create a Civilized City of Crafts and Folk Art in UCCN and so on. Situated in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River and in the north-east of Jiangxi province, and adjacent to Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, Jingdezhen, with an area coverage of 5,256 square kilometers, has a permanent population of 1,610,000. Jingdezhen has always been the most important center of porcelain production and cultural exchanges. /32 /33

Combining ceramic industry with culture originality, developing tradition together with creativity: Creativity is an accelerator for the sustainable development and prosperity of city culture. The 13th five-year development plan and future orientation of Jingdezhen is “ to revive the millennium town, to remodel the porcelain capital of the world, to protect the ecological home, to build a tourist city, and to create a city dialoguing with the world”. Paying great attention to talents educating mechanism to inherit and innovate traditional technique: there are various education forms in the urban area and rural area including 737 schools, 16 thousand faculty members and JINGDEZHEN CERAMIC JINGDEZHEN UNIVERSITY 280 thousands students. The INSTITUTE As an important base of cultivating education institutions concerning It is the only comprehensive talents in Jingdezhen and the creative fields include university based on ceramic majors surrounding areas, the school has Jingdezhen First Vocational and belongs to one of 31 national 458 full-time teachers, including 63 Secondary School, Jiangxi Ceramic universities with independent professors as well as 7,420 full-time Arts and Crafts Career Technical recruitment of art students and 94 junior college students. College, Jingdezhen College and national universities eligible to enroll Jingdezhen Ceramic University. in students with master’s degree JIANGXI CERAMIC ARTS AND Citizens receive the good cultural enjoying Chinese government CRAFTS CAREER TECHNICAL education and vocational training. scholarship and overseas students COLLEGE There are 731 units of cultural with bachelor’s degree It is the only Ceramic Vocational industries in the city, employing College with full specialties in 17,501 people. Jiangxi Province as well as in China. Now there are 280 full-time teachers, including 26 professors and more than 6,000 full-time students. It adheres to the school policy of “relying on ceramic NASSAU /35 BAHAMAS

Nassau is the capital of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Straw craft an archipelago, which provided a gateway to the Americas in 1492. The city, like the rest of the country, & junkanoo boasts centuries of colourful history and exemplary racial harmony. Nassau’s culture represents a several varieties of palm that grow holders, serving trays, fanners for unique translation node between wild and abundantly throughout the cleaning grain, a variety of baskets and the Caribbean Bahamian archipelago. There are for carrying and storing, as well as life ways, yet has developed a close to 200 Bahamian straw weave playthings like dolls. For the fashion distinct character of its own. Proud patterns, with such interesting industry, there are hats, handbags, elements of that distinction are names as ‘soursop’,’ take through’, portfolios, shoes and even . the folk arts and crafts of The ‘peas ‘n’ rice, Jacob’s Ladder and In the area of decorative design, Bahamas. so on. Some of the plait designs skilled practitioners produce Prime among them are the and basket styles are associated mirrors, and wall Bahamian straw industry and the with specific Family Islands and hangings. The possibilities are junkanoo arts and festival. Both are have become a part of the identity endless. derived from the country’s African of certain communities. Junkanoo is given pride of place heritage. For the home and public spaces, among the folk arts and crafts The raw material for Bahamian straw artisans create floor of The Bahamas. Junkanoo strawcraft comes from the leaves of coverings, placemats, condiment consists of grand annual parades combining costumed musicians, choreographed dancers and a series of three-dimensional sculptures. Many of the finest Bahamian artists and artisans use a range of art mediums and techniques to create the costumes and sculptures. The result is a dazzling, themed extravaganza of sound, colour and forms to create a festival that is distinctly Bahamian. Straw work and junkanoo are /36 /37

wonderfully inclusive. Everyone can participate. Based on these natural assets and the friendliness of its people, The Bahamas has developed, over the past six decades, a tourism industry long recognized as the premier vacation destination in the region. Nassau offers a range of hotel accommodations, an abundance of restaurants, art galleries, historic sites, environmental novelties and banking facilities, and a dollar with peerless water attractions. The on-par market value to the US$. capital is served by a recently As one of the two first cities in constructed state-of-the-art the region to be designated by airport, and enjoys convenient UNESCO as a Creative City of access by air directly from major Crafts and Folk Arts, Nassau invites western cities, thus connecting you to come and celebrate with easily to cities worldwide. Nassau us and allow us to show you our has internationally approved unique folk arts and crafts and our communication and ICT systems, warmest hospitality!

Photography credits Courtesy of: Rosemary c. Hanna; Creative Nassau; LPIA/NAD; Guilden Gilbert; Derek Smith; Paulette Mortimer PADUCAH /39 USA

Creativity is the common thread Gallery, Market House Theatre, competitors, attendees and media that connects people from around Clemens Fine Arts Center and the from around the world. In addition the globe to Paducah. Located Carson Center all contribute to to exhibits of the most exquisite Jacmel at the heart of America’s inland Paducah’s rich diversity of ongoing being created today, AQS waterways, the river contributes cultural offerings ranging from live hosts a variety of special events, a to the constant flow of Paducah’s theatre to exhibitions to art films vendor mall and the AQS School of engaging energy and deep to classical performances by the Quiltmaking, a series of classes and American heritage. Paducah’s Paducah Symphony Orchestra. lectures conducted by world-class long-lasting tradition in the fine The founding of the American instructors. craft of quiltmaking is the anchor that qualified the city as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of Crafts & City, Folk Art. Paducah’s creative community inspires, educates and fosters creative connection through the arts. As a UNESCO Creative City, Paducah welcomes artists from around the pathways world to share culture and craft through exhibitions, workshops and performances. The Yeiser Art Quilter’s Society (AQS) in Paducah The is the Center, Maiden Alley Cinema and and hosting the original AQS Quilt portal to the contemporary quilt Show & Contest in 1984 was experience – through exhibits and the foundation for many of the workshops by renowned quilters city’s modern cultural attractions. who are implementing creative With more than 55,000 members ideas and approaches to fiber art. representing every state and 80 It is the gateway to the discovery countries, AQS has set a standard of quilts, quiltmaking and the quilt for excellence in quilting and artist for domestic and international provides a forum that inspires, visitors. The Museum features instructs and nurtures the art and a collection of award-winning skills of quiltmaking worldwide. quilts and ever-changing thematic The renowned AQS QuiltWeek exhibitions that celebrate the talent, – Paducah is set apart by diversity and innovation. /40 /41

Paducah’s creative economy has contemporary production of art and been enhanced by the award- craft. winning Artist Relocation Program, The campus of Paducah School a proactive concept that utilized of Art & Design, a division of West art as the catalyst for revitalization. Community & Technical The program offered artists College, is the latest addition to the incentives to relocate to the historic Lower Town Arts District. State-of neighborhood known as Lower the art facilities present visual arts Town, renovate declining structures education in photography, drawing, or construct new ones, convert painting, 2D graphic design, them to studios and galleries and ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, fiber participate in the city’s vibrant arts, metals and 3D design and creative energy. Today, the Arts offers public programming including District is populated with working the Master Artist Workshop Series, artists, students and artists-in- national exhibitions and culinary art residence actively engaged in in the Kitchens Café. PEKALONGAN /43 INDONESIA

Pekalongan, also known as the Pekalongan’s identity. Integrated “Batik City” is home to 300,000 into the city’s educational system, people. It is a multicultural city Batik culture is also well integrated where different ethnic communities into the city’s creative economy Batik culture into the city’s creative economy

live together, often enjoying each other’s cultural expressions in the many exhibitions, parades and events held throughout the year. Handcrafts, such as hand-drawn and hand-stamped batik, are the main pillars of the city’s economy. Closely tied to art, culture and the economy, batik design and production are an essential part of /44 /45

the desired patterns and motifs, and the cloth is dipped into a cold dye bath. vThe dyed cloth is then immersed in hot water, removing the wax. Parts of the cloth which were not covered with wax will have accepted the dye colour. The process is repeated as many times as the number of colours desired. A wide variety of patterns and development plans. Safeguarding women, in developing viable motifs is developing continuously and further developing Batik income generating activities and according to the creativity of culture and the surrounding improving their quality of life. Batik designers, especially in Pekalongan Batik craft villages is a priority for as an expression of art, culture and City. The symbolism of the patterns Pekalongan. The Batik Museum economy is the principal identity and motifs is related to various and the adjacent workshops for of Pekalongan City. In brief, batik ethnic communities, life cycles, students form an important arts is the art of producing textiles by a and the flow of history. Each centre and have been recognized process of making dots and lines piece of batik hand drawn or hand as a Best Safeguarding Practice on cloth with hot wax, using special stamped using the wax method is of intangible heritage. Pekalongan pens called canthing, or copper a unique work of art, not merely a is an excellent example of how stamps called canthing cap, to machine mass-produced coloured culture-based development can resist dyeing. The wax is carefully textile. Pekalongan batik is always support citizens, particularly applied to the cloth according to produced as a home industry. SANTA FE /47 USA

A confluence of culture and tradition

Fe’s historic downtown has found evidence of settlements as early as AD 600. In 1610, ten years before the Mayflower Pilgrims of England founded Plymouth Colony on the eastern coast of the United States, Santa Fe was established by Spanish explorers. When Spanish settlers arrived in Santa Fe, they found Native American people who possessed artistic traditions stretching back for a millennium. These ancient customs and crafts were an active part of their daily lives and remain an important part of contemporary Native American Craft, folk art and culture have culture. Santa Fe is fortunate that always been at the heart of Santa Native American communities Fe, New Mexico, USA. Called the continue to share these traditions, “Dancing Ground of the Sun” by including weaving, pottery, jewelry early Native American inhabitants, and dance. Santa Fe is rich in history and The Spanish also brought with culture. The earliest inhabitants of them the artistic enterprises of the Santa Fe were Native American Old World and Mexico, in addition peoples. Archaeology in Santa to developing unique colonial art /48 /49

forms that still thrive today. The and indigenous forms found in folkloric dances of New Mexico Mexico and New Mexico. Santa represent a fusion of the Moorish Fe is also home to a one-of-a- influences brought by the Spanish kind straw applique and tinwork elements found in traditional Spanish Colonial artwork. The Native American and Spanish Colonial traditions were enhanced by an influx of painters and writers from the eastern United States during the early half of the 20th century. Artists such as Gustav Baumann, Marsden Hartley, Georgia O’Keeffe and Fremont Ellis left an indelible mark on Santa Fe’s arts community. In the mid-19th century the Santa Fe Trail helped bring essential and luxury goods to the southwest. Santa Fe remains a center for shoppers to experience a unique market of small boutique, Native American artwork and handmade items of delight. World-class markets have been born and continue to thrive in Santa Fe, which is host to three major annual art markets: the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market; Traditional Spanish Colonial Market; and Indian Market. With an abundance of creative enterprises employing curators, designers, dancers, musicians, actors and more, Santa Fe remains a rich melting pot of talent and creativity. SUZHOU /51 CHINA

Suzhou is an ancient city built 2500 years ago. Suzhou is situated A city of crafts in the Yangtze River Delta on the mid-part of the west shore of the Pacific Ocean. Suzhou is also a paradise on known as “The Land of Fish and Rice” and “The Home of Silk”. Ever since ancient times, Suzhou has earth enjoyed the reputation of “Heaven on Earth”. In 2014, Suzhou was named “City of Crafts and Folk Art” most important centers of Chinese values. As a classical form of by UNESCO and joined UNESCO crafts and folk art since ancient art carrying culture heritage with Creative Cities Network. times and has nurtured an array world wide influence, Suzhou’s Home to the culture of Chinese of internationally famous schools handicrafts are a mirror of the men of letters, Suzhou boasts a of handicrafts and fine artworks, elegant life style and unique artistic long history of handicrafts which which represent the highest level understanding of its local people are abundant in kind and number of different historical periods and and they have played a significant and endowed with rich culture. The are known both at home and role in the historical development city has always been one of the abroad for their exquisite artistic of human culture and art. /52 /53

to traditional handicrafts. Since the 21st century, Suzhou has been applying modern technology to transform and upgrade its crafts industry while preserving its time-honored tradition. As a result, the city’s crafts industry has been expanded and enhanced to a new level. Meanwhile, Suzhou’s products made frequent appearances at various exhibitions both at home and abroad and won many awards and honors, which greatly boosted its the international influence and reputation.

Suzhou’s handicraft industry construction technique of Fragrant is famous for its rich variety Hill Group. There are also 30-plus of products and superb famous types including carved craftsmanship. Among 11 jade and Ming-style furniture, some categories of arts and crafts in of which, such as Su embroidery, China, Suzhou boasts all of them, Su fans, Ming-style furniture and totaling over 3,000 types. The most theatrical costumes and stage representative and world-renowned properties, can only be made by are embroidery and traditional the craftsmen in Suzhou. So far, Suzhou ranks first among all the cities nationwide by having five of its local items inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, among them three are of craftsmanship, which are traditional construction technique of Fragrant Hill Group, Song brocade weaving and Suzhou Kesi weaving as part of traditional Chinese mulberry silk weaving skills. Suzhou also has 32 items being inscribed on the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, among which 18 belong AL AHSA /55

Al-Ahsa became a member of flow of Al Ahsa engaging energy the Creative City Network which and deep GCC heritage. Al-Ahsa encompasses 116 cities from 54 has been inhabited since prehistoric countries in the area of manual times, due to its abundance of water crafts and folklore, it received in an otherwise arid region. Natural numerous invitation to participate fresh-water springs have surfaced in the social activities organized by at oases in the region for millennia, Bisht, old tradition of creative crafts industry

the Network or the member states encouraging neighbors to come and where it is due time to enroll all attend firms and schools. national, regional and international Traditional crafts in the Kingdom activities in a manner that come of Saudi Arabia stemmed originally within the path of the UNESCO from the environment where its Creative City program. materials and tools are extracted Al Ahsa resembles the crucible part from. The materials and tools are that combine all the culture and art only exported when the environment and industry of the gulf area could could not supply them anymore melt in. Located at the heart of Gulf and when the crafts developed region, the traditional industry and into industries. Many people folklore contributes to the constant have attempted to preserve these /56 /57

industries from extinction since they (waber). This industry developed to other Gulf States, , Iran, and are their source of pride, wealth and through time until it became a huge Syria. Their products are exported security. They meet their demands: trade that relies on manual skills for to different countries and Ahsa provide them with the tools they knitting golden decorations. The remained the cradle of this unique need for subsistence and for same families spread this industry industry. meeting their daily need. Al-Ahsa has been known for the diversity of its crafts especially its traditional industries due to the abundance of the date-palms which are the source of prosperity with respect to their nutritious value and the availability of raw materials for the numerous domestic industries. The craftsman extracts the raw materials from the agricultural, desert or coast environment. The society members were self- sufficient; they depended solely on the environment; they made use of what is available to meet their daily needs. Crafts flourished at that time since they were in demand besides there is some sort of cooperation among craftsmen. The hand-made products were displayed in the market which was frequented by the quarter dwellers, the near-by villagers and the Bedouins for exchanging goods: buying and selling. Sewing craft (Bisht) in Al Ahsa is a well-known craft that pass in a nomadic form in ancient times spreading Bisht as gustative dress all over the area. Some Ahsa families became well- known for making cloth from the local spinning threads obtained from the sheep wool or camel hair BAMIYAN /59 AFGHANISTAN

Situated at an altitude of 2,500 Recognized as the 2015 capital meters, Bamiyan, also called the of the South Asian Association for “Land of Shining Light”, is the Regional Cooperation (SAARC), largest city of the central region Bamiyan asserts its commitment of Afghanistan. Declared as a to collaborating on an international UNESCO World Heritage Site in level, to promoting collective self- 2003, the cultural landscapes reliance and to fostering socio- and archaeological remains of cultural development. At the local the city – especially the carved monumental Buddha statues – continue to testify to Bamiyan’s rich Land history. Known for its location on the ancient Silk Road, Bamiyan’s cultural assets have benefited of shining light from a diversity of cross-cultural influences and features that are particularly reflected in the field of level, the municipality has adopted crafts and folk art. the Bamiyan Cultural Master Plan Bamiyan nurtures creativity and as a central policy whose main culture as key levers for urban purpose is to enhance inclusive renewal and for the improvement and sustainable urban development of social conditions, with special through cultural and creative attention given to the involvement industries. of women. Envisioned as a Silkroad Bamiyan handicrafts is trailblazer in developing crafts and founded in 2010. The first step folk art, the Department of Rural was to prepare for the fixtures of Rehabilitation and Development Hotel Silk Road Bamiyan opened has conducted a project through in 2007, including the cushions, the AREZO NGO and the bedcovers of guest rooms. Mainly Afghanistan Rural Enterprise we sell items such as household Development Programme (AREDP) goods, including cushion covers, on carpet weaving which largely bedcovers and cloths like shirt employs women and people and jacket with hand embroidery. from vulnerable communities. Also bags made from Dastarkhan /60 /61

which is the traditional table cross cash income of women. Many in Bamiyan. Bamiyan’s hand woven women who live in Bamiyan, do not cloth is woven by women in the have educational background and village called “the Dragon Valley” difficult to get a job. Even for men, located just outside of Bamiyan it is difficult to find a job in Bamiyan city. There are hundreds, thousands which relies on stockbreeding of colorful design and individuality and less industry. Among such a of the Weaver reflects on each situation, women’s income is very design . valuable and product sales is an The revenue by this woven cloth important task for the stable life of is used for daily life as a valuable women. DURÁN /63 ECUADOR

Durán (Ecuador) is a city that was thought, we are exploring the urban born and has developed as a recovery of the city centre, where result of migratory processes over Durán’s history was born. We want the past century. Thousands of to transform it into an area for Jamaicans who built the railway developing culture and art, and a and hundreds of indigenous people space for creation and creativity for who arrived from the Ecuadorian the new generations who look for mountain ranges to the coast have opportunities to stay in the city. generated a unique cultural mix We promote the participation and in Durán. Following this line of dialogue through the creation of Leveraging cultural diversity for sustainable urban development

cultural spaces for families, such as ‘Cultural Itinerant Festivals of Craft and Folk Arts’, which is also a space to exhibit our handicrafts. We have launched educative and informative campaigns to enhance the slogan ‘Orgullo por lo tuyo’ (‘Pride for what is yours’), to recover the confidence, recognition, repute, history and love for the land of our inhabitants. Accordingly, the different cultures that converge in Durán have /64 /65

contributed to the development of folk arts and local history, which supports its recovery and its value for the present and future development of the city. The recovery of history and local culture, generated by a mixture of migrant cultures, is documented and promoted through reading and animation projects for children, vacation programmes in art and culture, history projects of high relief sculptures on railway facades, and the recovery of iconic places in the city, as part of an overarching objective to reduce social problems in Durán. ISFAHAN/66 /67 IRAN

Considered as a hub for crafts and folk art, Isfahan is the third Islamic biggest city in Iran, with 1.5 million inhabitants. Its creative sector comprises the country’s most architecture specialized craft people in 167 different disciplines, including carpet weaving, metalwork, and crafts woodwork, ceramics, painting and inlay works of various kinds. According to Isfahan Territorial of ancient Planning, at least 9,000 craft and folk art workshops and enterprises contribute to Isfahan economy, the Persia majority of which are located in the historical “Naqsh-e Jahan Square”, and international focus to the city attracts the annual participation inscribed as a UNESCO World dynamics in the field of crafts and of 26 countries worldwide. The Heritage Site in 1979. folk art, such as the International highlight of this event was the The attention the city pays to folk Cultural Heritage Festival, which workshop dedicated to female art is of importance, too. The term “folk art” refers to works of art whose practicality outweighs their aesthetic aspects. This is rooted in the rich old culture of the city. Since ancient times, the people of the city have attached importance to art and UNESCO’s focus on the city is meant to them to sustain this intangible heritage. While “Naqsh-e Jahan Square” remains the major center for showcasing high-grade works through permanent exhibitions, other events give both a local /68 /69

artisans, emphasizing Isfahan’s creators. A wide range of training commitment to valuing female workshops and financial support artworks to perpetuate traditional mechanisms have been developed, know-how. As Isfahan primarily notably in the framework of the considers crafts and folk art as key Handicrafts Cooperative Societies, levers to foster social reintegration gathering both public and private and cohesion, employment growth, entrepreneurs to formulate and the preservation of vanishing innovative projects and policies traditions and knowledge, the to enhance the status of creators Municipality’s programmers reflect and the contribution of crafts these objectives by working and folk art for sustainable urban in close collaboration with development. JAIPUR /71 INDIA

Capital of the State of Rajasthan in India, Jaipur is home to a population of 3 million inhabitants. In the early 18th century, the city was called the House of the 36 Industries (Chattis Karkhanas) for being an historical trade centre largely supported by crafts and folk art, including painting, carving and jewelry. This period has shaped the city and is honoured through the dedication of specific streets and markets to each of these industries. Today, this legacy continues to bear witness to the diversity and vitality of the field of crafts and folk art, which employs about 175,000 people working in around 53,500 workshops. the public and private sectors and Jaipur is also home to the Indian Jaipur views creative industries civil society, as well as developing Institute of Crafts and Design as a means to sustain its rich interdisciplinary approaches (IICD), the largest resource centre cultural heritage, passing on between crafts and folk art and in the country, which is currently many traditions through local design. undertaking cross-cutting festivals and fairs which have always been embedded in the city’s cultural life. The Jaipur Pink city, International Heritage Festival is the best-known event showcasing traditional works art and crafts of crafts and folk art, as well as contemporary works. This event puts particular emphasis on of Rajasthan fostering partnerships between /72 /73

research and offering residencies. artisans’ working conditions To further protect and promote and supporting direct selling. crafts and folk art, the In addition, there are plans for Municipality is developing many establishing a Global Art Square initiatives, including the Heritage in the heart of the city, creating a Walks. This project aims to give unique hub for new generations new life to the ancient streets of craftspeople to sustain Jaipur’s and markets, thereby improving artistic traditions. LUBUMBASHI /75 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Crafts and folk art in the Copperbelt

The second largest city in the to the city’s development by Democratic Republic of the using creativity to highlight its Congo with 1.7 million inhabitants, industrial legacy. With more than 50 Lubumbashi is situated along the workshops dedicated to malachite mining region of the Copperbelt. As carving, city policies reflect the the copper and malachite industries trade’s stature as a key lever to have long been the backbones of stimulate employment. the local economy, Lubumbashi is Workers from the copper mines committed to giving new impetus have anchored many artistic /76 /77

expressions in the city’s cultural and creativity within the city has identity, from street performance to been developing in the informal popular theatre and music including sphere. However, the Municipality, karindula and brakka. This vast together with civil society, is keen amount of creativity has led to to work towards developing a the creation of the Copper Eaters comprehensive policy framework Festival, which for the last fifteen for culture. Current measures years has celebrated artisan work. facilitate the establishment of This event is central to the city’s cultural organizations and creative strategy to foster urban vitality, industries, as well as increase the cultural participation and social number of training programmes cohesion. In addition, the city hosts and job opportunities for artists the Picha Encounters, also referred and artisans. Lubumbashi is eager to as the Lubumbashi Biennale to develop its networks further for Visual Arts, which is known with the aim of allowing this post- as one of the most innovative industrial city to advance with a and experimental cultural events sustainable urban renewal and in for showcasing urban- development path, using culture related works of art. So far, culture and creativity as a driver. SAN CRISTÓBAL /79 DE LAS CASAS MEXICO

The city of San Cristobal de Las indigenous population, and Casas dates from 1528 and is limited to the south to the border located in southeastern with Guatemala. Has ten traditional Mexico in the state of Chiapas neighborhoods with bordering municipalities with specific vocation and traditional craft, some since its foundation, and others were acquired by passing the time and the needs cultures of the city. The municipality has also several communities with productive activities in various of the present trades. Is related to many rural indigenous populations from the 17 municipalities of the “Altos and the past region of Chiapas.” It is an urban- rural municipality with intercultural population of approximately of the south 185.917 inhabitants and there are indigenous groups who speak different languages as the Tseltal of Mexico and Tsotsil. /80 /81

They mainly manufacture textile settlement). Traditional crafts that are embroidered neighborhoods as they were according to various identity created were characterized patterns that are used to by having a traditional craft or manufacture various garments and acquired a new one, depending on other items. Also they also the specific needs of the city. manufacture other traditional These crafts were, among others, crafts. the manufacture of: blacksmithing, The city retains the craft vocation pottery, candles and wax items, that had since it was founded in sweets and breads, yarns, fabrics 1528 (first Spanish and textile dyeing, pyrotechnics, and wooden toys. For those nearby communities and artisans, making handicrafts and weaving is part of everyday life, historically one of the main activities to earn income for their families. This activity has a very important meaning, as it recognizes through this practice that of their ancestors. Today the local and regional craft remained on the market in various places in the city, preserving this fundamental role as a center of supply and consumption of communities in the region. SASAYAMA /83 JAPAN

Ancient Japanese ceramic style

Sasayama city locates in the middle Matsutake Mushroom, Tanba east part of Hyogo Prefecture and Sasayama Beef, Tanba Sasayama is surrounded by mountains and Mountain Koshihikari Rice...etc. greens. Sasayama is about an hour Sasayama will continue to ride the from Osaka by train, and is a place name of ”The City of Food and that the Genfukei of Japan, which is said to be the oldest, and the most impressive memories of the Japanese people still remains. In the middle of Sasayama city locates Sasayama Castle, which was built during Tenka Bushin (nation wide construction) under the command of Edo Bakufu Governmnt. With Castle Town of Sasayama castle as the center, the lodging town, agricultural settlement and ceramic settlement were expanded. Till now, the nature, history, cultural heritage is still being succeeded. Due to the special climate of Sasayama basin, the food in Sasayama is absolutely delicious. It’s famous for Tanba Black Soy Beans, Tanba Chestnuts, Pork, Yam of Tanba Mountain, Tanba /84 /85

Walking along the streets, it can make by hands. reminds people the old, peaceful Streets and mountains that days in the old times. invites Jofutokoro . And , it has Tabnayaki was said to be one of been taken over over the long the six Japanese ancient ceramic what month tradition and culture artwork. Sasayama has succeed Dekansho clause , in town to live and turned this old industry along such a tradition , people over 200 with Tanba cotton, which is one years and is in a folk song that has of the treaditional handicrafts of nurtured with great that sometimes Hyogo Prefecture into a new page I think From Dekansho clause and is still living on it. unbroken has been passed down The works are recoginzed as one to , it is possible to know the town of the masterpices that craftsmen of Tamba Sasayama. /sommario

FABRIANO / ITALY 7 ASWAN / EGYPT 11 KANAZAWA / JAPAN 15 ICHEON / SOUTH KOREA 19 HANGZHOU / CHINA 23 JACMEL / HAITI 27 JINGDEZHEN / CHINA 31 NASSAU / BAHAMAS 35 PADUCAH / USA 39 PEKALONGAN / INDONESIA 43 SANTA FE / USA 47 SUZHOU / CHINA 51 AL AHSA / SAUDI ARABIA 55 BAMIYAN / AFGHANISTAN 59 DURÁN / ECUADOR 63 ISFAHAN / IRAN 67 JAIPUR / INDIA 71 LUBUMBASHI / DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 75 SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS / MEXICO 79 SASAYAMA / JAPAN 83 Graphic design / Omnia comunicazione Printed in Italy Firt edition June 2017

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