29th international art and traditional knife show PRESS RELEASE 18&19 may 2019 THIERS WORLD CAPITAL OF CUTLERY www.coutellia.fr « 3 CONTENTS “Thiers has something really our partners to maintain the special: the International knife-making sector’s dyna- Knife-making Trade Show! mism over the long-term. In The trade show offers compa- 2020, Coutellia will celebrate nies and the region a unique its 30-year anniversary! opportunity to be seen. This We are also proud of our major event showcases businesses, and encourage 16 17 knife-making professions and their dynamism, which is key to 4 5 Thiers, knife-manufacturing aptitudes, traditional skills, and helping “connect” our region with COUTELLIA : the knife the scope for innovation and creativity. the rest of the world.” capital of the world within the We join Philippe Fouet, President of the Claude BARBIN, President, in all its forms heart of the Livradois-Forez CCI Thiers/Ambert Delegation, in sharing CCI Puy-de-Dôme Clermont Auvergne our pride at being able to work with all Métropole 6 7 Regional Natural Park COUTELLIA : the knife-making 18 event of the year The Thiers knife-manufacturing 8 9 sector, an economic heavyweight “Coutellia, an event that helps to passion for knife-making alive. promote interest in our region. It is a key opportunity for Rewarding 19 The Communauté de showcasing what the region the most beautiful knives Communes Thiers Dore et has to offer, while building its Technological innovation, Montagne, TDM, (Thiers Dore identity and bringing its inha- ® and Montagne Community of 10 11 The Thiers Δαμα Hestia, bitants together. TDM is proud Communes), a unique and to sponsor the 29th year of the a unique knife made in Thiers authentic residential zone New in 2019 trade show.” within the heart of the Livra- Tony BERNARD, 20 21 12 13 dois-Forez Regional Natural Président of the Communauté de The Thiers®, symbol of an Park, is a region known for its exper- Communes Thiers Dore et Montagne, Cutting edge events tise. Coutellia works hard to keep the Mayor of Châteldon entire profession 14 15 22 Trade Show side events Practical information “Behind this International is a large and highly antici- Trade show, there lies, first pated annual event that takes of all, the strong cohesion place in Thiers. It is a wonderful between the CCI, the TDM showcase that brings together community of communes people and skills. This gathe- and the city of Thiers, which ring, the only one in the region enables us to welcome exhibi- and in France, uses the history tors and visitors under the best of knife-making to open up the possible circumstances. Coutellia city to the world.” Claude Nowotny, Mayor of Thiers « 4 5 18 & 19 May 2019 in Thiers (63 - France) the knife in all its forms 300,000: the number of knives manufactured every day in Thiers, COUTELLIA IS… a comfortably sized Puy de Dôme city. 80% of the knives produced in France come from the workshops and factories in Thiers, a world knife- 2 500 m2 230 3 1 manufacturing capital. Proud of a craftsmanship that has been handed down from of exhibition space exhibitors exhibition halls knife-making village generation to generation, Thiers will host the 29th year of COUTELLIA, the International Knife-making Trade Show, which takes place on 18 and 19 May 2019. Included 20 Albacete 1 6 000 different countries competition visitors expected in the programme: a knife exhibition, a presentation of all the latest represented Pavilion, for knife designs in 2019 spain’s knife- innovations, competitions, demonstrations and many workshops. manufacturing capital 230 EXHIBITORS A LIVELY PROGRAMME Amongst the many new things to economic lever that increases the FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE OF EVENTS! explore, the Albacete Pavilion will pay region’s appeal to bring global recogni- tribute to the Spanish town’s knife-ma- tion. For example, last year we welcomed Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Over 6,000 visitors will throng the king tradition. Albacete is another world over 230 art knife-makers from over 22 FLORENT PAGNY, China, Denmark, Japan, Pakistan, COUTELLIA aisles to discover speciality knife-manufacturing capital. This event different countries. This success is a SPONSOR OF COUTELLIA 2019 Russia… 230 exhibitors from over knives and traditional skills, but also to is co-financed by the European Union testament to the fact that knife-making through the European Regional Deve- is part of Thiers’ DNA. On a wider level, 20 countries will share their skills and broaden their knife-making knowledge: In its 29th year, Coutellia has the support lopment Fund (ERDF). when you observe the ecosystem that their most beautiful blade creations. An because at COUTELLIA seminars and of a top sponsor: Florent Pagny himself. is developed with the support of the opportunity to discover new trends in special events run throughout the A renowned French singer but also an PARTNERSHIP SYNERGY City, the communes, and all the other knife-making, and the various manu- weekend. These include an exhibition art knife enthusiast, he knows the city of stakeholders, you realise the economic facturing techniques from here and of antique knives, forging, knife assem- Thiers well, having visited whilst touring Since its inception, COUTELLIA has impact this event has on our region. Let around the world. bling and grinding demos, an intro- the region and taking the opportunity to been organised by the Puy-de-Dôme us continue to show pride in our role as And because beautiful knives are made duction to corkscrew making, as well stock up on clasp knives, table knives CCI supported by the Auvergne Rhône- a regional leader. Let us work together using the best materials, COUTELLIA as many other events that will be open or kitchen knives. It is therefore entirely Alpes Region, the City of Thiers and to build the wider knife-manufacturing also brings together suppliers of the to the public in the Village Coutelier fitting that he has accepted the invitation the Thiers Dore et Montagne Commu- area Auvergne needs in order to extend most acclaimed raw materials: steel, (Knife-making Village). extended by Dominique Chambriard, nity of Communes. The trade show its international influence.” Damascus steel, precious woods, knife-making member of the Confrérie helps promote the French knife-ma- antlers, leathers, skins, rare materials, This year, 4 new events will take place du couteau LE THIERS® (LE THIERS® nufacturing industry while also putting sheaths, etc. within this dedicated area: an intro- Knife-makers Guild). duction to forging, a cutting compe- the Thiers region on the world stage, as tition, an antique knives zone and explained by Claude Barbin, President engraving, scrimshaw and sculpting of the Puy-de-Dôme Clermont Auvergne demos. Métropole CCI: “It is an important 6 7 Sergio Omar ZALDUA - Hall 1 B20 Sergio Omar Zaldúa is a familiar face at the COUTELLIA Trade Show having already attended 4 times. A native Argentinian, he has been making knives since 1984. Since childhood, he has had an affinity for knife-making. He is self taught, learned through trial and error and has never given up. Today, he specialises in “Facón”, a knife traditionally used by gauchos, Argentinian cowboys, which he will exhibit at COUTELLIA. He will also use this opportunity to exhibit new creations and enter his latest works into the competition. COUTELLIA: RAMON GONZALES - Hall 2 F25 Ramon Gonzales is very excited to be at COUTELLIA for the first the knife-making time. The Albacete-based bladesmith will exhibit around twenty pieces, including knives and razors. He has worked passionately in his field for 25 years and is Over the centu- enormously proud to take part in the ries, the knife knife-making competition and showcase has gone from event of the year his skills to a wider audience. being a simple www.alfacuchilleria.com “practical” everyday object to a true work of art, a “unique” object of desire that is a pleasure to offer as a gift. Today, driven by a new generation of knife-makers, knives are adorned with the most intricate details, enjoy myriad shapes and are fitted with highly innovative mechanisms. In this, the 29th year of the trade show, 230 art knife-makers and knife manufacturers will exhibit unique pieces, each one more original than the last. Travelling from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, Luxem- KOJI HARA - Hall 1 E02 bourg, Pakistan, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine, they will all converge on Thiers for a Originally from Japan, Koji Hara is one of Japan’s most itine- weekend of sharing their passion with the 6,000 expected rate knife-makers, exhibiting across his home country as well visitors. They will be happy to talk to visitors, offer as the US and Europe. This will be the 11th time he takes part in numerous tips and generously share their manufac- the COUTELLIA Trade Show. A real ambassador for Japanese turing secrets. knife-making! He forged his first knives in 1988 and first started to exhibit his work during the 90s. His crea- tions “Ode to Japanese Culture” are unique. He particularly likes to use shell (mother- of-pearl, abalone, etc.), which requires a great deal of skill. Real gems of elegance and grace. www.knifehousehara.com 8 9 Focus on Nathalie Robin, winner of the 2018 prize The winner of the 2018 COUTELLIA prize, speciality? Using beautiful materials, adding Rewarding Nathalie Robin doesn’t do things by halves. colour to the handles, and personalising the A first-time participator in the trade show screws with a Templar cross. and competition last year, she won unani- It took 25 hours and quite a few scares to mous acclaim for her piece “Cellois”.