Kanazawa

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2009

City presentation

Kanazawa, influenced by the samurai lifestyle, is renowned for its artisan workshops and is recognized as a City of Crafts and Folk Arts. The city’s crafts reflect a unique blend of techniques introduced by skilled artisans from Kyoto and Edo, combining dynamism with the elegance of samurai culture. Traditional craftwork, such as kaga-yuzen silk dyeing for kimonos and gold leaf lacquer ware, continues to enrich daily life. Local artisans are now exploring collaborations with other creative fields, merging traditional crafts with innovation and new technologies.
The Kanazawa Citizens’ Art Center, operational 24/7, provides free spaces for artistic activities, while the 21st Century Museum for Contemporary Art, inaugurated in 2004, attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually, showcasing modern art and craft collections.

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Kargopol

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2019

City presentation

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Limoges

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Limoges, with a population of 135,000, is renowned as the French capital of ceramic arts, boasting a rich history of nine centuries in ceramics, enamel, and glass-making. The discovery of kaolin in the 18th century solidified its reputation in the porcelain industry, which contributes around 60% to the national income, totaling approximately US$138 million annually and employing nearly 1,200 people. The city hosts numerous artisan workshops, associations, and factories, complemented by research centers, schools, and museums. Events like the Toques & Porcelaine festival highlight the synergy between cuisine and porcelain. Additionally, the City of Limoges promotes contemporary art in public spaces and aims to foster experimentation in ceramic arts while developing educational initiatives to encourage cultural expression and social interaction within the community.

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Lubumbashi

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2015

City presentation

Lubumbashi, the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a population of 1.7 million, is located in the Copperbelt mining region. Historically reliant on copper and malachite industries, the city aims to revitalize its development by leveraging creativity to celebrate its industrial legacy.

With over 50 workshops focused on malachite carving, Lubumbashi’s policies prioritize this trade as a means to stimulate employment. Artistic expressions stemming from local copper miners, such as street performance and music genres like karindula, enrich the city’s cultural identity.
The Copper Eaters Festival, celebrating artisan work for 15 years, and the Picha Encounters, an innovative visual arts biennale, underscore Lubumbashi’s commitment to cultural vitality. Although much of the cultural landscape has developed informally, the Municipality seeks to create a comprehensive policy framework to support cultural organizations and creative industries, aiming for sustainable urban renewal through creativity.

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Madaba

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Madaba, located 33 kilometers from Jordan’s capital and home to 180,000 inhabitants, is renowned as the “city of mosaics,” famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the oldest depiction of the Holy Land. The protection and restoration of these mosaics are vital to both citizens and local authorities, leading to a revival of mosaic handicrafts and the establishment of 150 workshops that provide 800 jobs.

The discovery of numerous mosaics through archaeological excavations led to the creation of the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration, the only one of its kind in the Middle East. Supported by the Municipality, local mosaics have become an economic driver, facilitating international partnerships and events like the Mosaic Festival, launched in 2014. The city was designated as Mosaic City by the World Crafts Council in 2016. Collaborative efforts are also focused on training artisans in sustainable practices and improving their working conditions.

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Manises

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Manises, a Mediterranean city with over 31,000 inhabitants, is renowned for its ceramic crafts that trace back to the 13th century, particularly known for the Islamic gold luster technique. The 20th century marked another flourishing period for the ceramics sector, especially during the Art Nouveau movement, which transformed Manises into a vibrant ceramic landscape now protected by law.

Today, the city boasts over 46 enterprises and artisans, three major associations, and two official ceramic educational centers, including Spain’s first Higher School of Ceramics, which has a high percentage of female students. The city hosts a lively calendar of craft events, such as the International Ceramics Biennial and the Ceramic Festival, attracting over 40,000 attendees. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Manises aims to preserve its ceramic heritage, support local artisans, and promote creative tourism and integration efforts for migrants.

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Montecristi

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2023

City presentation

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Nakuru

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Nakuru, located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, is a city rich in cultural heritage, boasting a diverse array of cultural assets that foster creativity. The crafts and folk art sector features innovative artists working in sculpture, visual arts, beadwork, fabric design, metalwork, pottery, and storytelling, forming the backbone of Nakuru’s creative economy.

This economy encompasses thirteen creative sub-sectors that utilize culture as a strategic tool for economic growth. Recognizing the significance of creativity in development, Nakuru has launched hands-on programs to train professionals and build networks within the creative industries. Events like the Nakuru International Investment Conference and Nakuru Business Expo provide platforms for artists to showcase their work and attract investments. Moving forward, Nakuru plans to develop creative spaces such as cultural centers and art galleries, as well as establish a community festival to celebrate local heritage and promote inclusivity.

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Ouagadougou

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, is a political, administrative, and cultural hub with a population of 2 million, housing over 80% of the central region’s inhabitants. The city has a rich tradition of bronze-working, particularly in the Niongsin neighborhood, where it originated through the expertise of three major families specializing in lost wax casting. This craft has evolved to become a primary source of income for many families and significantly impacts the local economy, employing 13% of informal sector workers across 375 businesses. Various training centers, such as the National Centre for Arts and Crafts and the Craft Village, ensure the transmission of this artisanal knowledge.
The city also hosts two major cultural events, the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair and the Pan-African Cinema and Television Festival. The municipal government actively supports local cultural industries by improving working conditions and promoting the bronze craft through initiatives like the Bronze Display.

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Pasto

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Pasto, located in southern Colombia, is rich in cultural assets that reflect its diverse ethnic and religious traditions. Known for its vibrant crafts and folk art, the city’s economy thrives on small industries and artisanal production, including wood carving, embossed leather, and fabrics. Pasto is Colombia’s largest handicraft production hub, accounting for 14.34% of the national market, making the artisanal sector crucial for regional development. The Carnival of Blacks and Whites is the city’s most significant cultural event, contributing 0.7% to local GDP and creating over 8,000 jobs between 2011 and 2016.

As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Pasto plans to strengthen creative industries to generate employment, promote cultural identity, and foster social inclusion. The city will also support cross-sector alliances, encourage cultural exchanges, and promote research on cultural heritage creation and distribution.

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Pekalongan

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2014

City presentation

Pekalongan, known as the “Batik City,” is a multicultural city of 300,000 people where hand-drawn and hand-stamped batik is central to its economy and identity. Batik culture is deeply integrated into the city’s educational and creative economy development plans. The Batik Museum and nearby workshops form a key arts center, recognized for safeguarding this intangible heritage.

Pekalongan’s focus is on preserving and advancing Batik culture, which supports income generation, especially for women, improving their quality of life. The city also aims to strengthen social, cultural, and economic infrastructures, foster innovation, and promote Batik locally and globally while encouraging environmentally friendly practices.

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Perth

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Perth, a vibrant city in central Scotland with a population of nearly 160,000, thrives on industries such as farming, tourism, and low-carbon energy. The city boasts a rich cultural scene with two major theatres and international-standard museums, many highlighting local craft production. Perth College supports the creative sector with 650 students in culture-related fields. The city’s creative industry has grown, employing over 3,000 people with an annual GVA of USD 55,517 per job. Perth is also part of the Tay Cities Deal, which aims to invest in culture and innovation.
Key upcoming projects include the Perth City Hall Museum, focusing on crafts and folk art. The city plans to enhance its cultural footprint by fostering international collaborations, creating accessible spaces for artisans, engaging the public through workshops, and promoting sustainable tourism through a crafts and folk art trail.

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Porto-Novo

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital with a population of 300,000, has a unique cultural identity shaped by its colonial past and diverse migratory influences. The city is known for its rich artisanal traditions, organized into 42 craft guilds, with families specializing in crafts like blacksmithing, pottery, and musical instrument making. Artists and artisans, particularly women, play a crucial role in shaping the city’s sustainable development.
Porto-Novo hosts cultural events like the International Festival of Arts and Culture and Urban Outbreak Festival-Workshops, which showcase contemporary art and urban renovation. The city aims to further strengthen the role of culture in urban planning, foster regional and international cooperation, and enhance youth training in crafts and folk art. Through these efforts, Porto-Novo seeks to position itself as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, making culture a key driver for human and urban development.

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San Cristóbal de las Casas

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2015

City presentation

San Cristóbal de las Casas, located in Chiapas, Mexico, has a population of 186,000, with a strong presence of indigenous communities who contribute significantly to the city’s crafts and folk art sector. This sector is the main driver of the local economy, with traditional crafts like blacksmithing, pottery, woodcarving, amber jewellery, and embroidery showcased across ten neighbourhoods.

Deeply connected to ancestral traditions, crafts foster social cohesion and intercultural dialogue. The city’s long-standing Spring Fair and Peace, held every April, celebrates local art and empowers indigenous women. In 2012, San Cristóbal launched the Maya World Textile AC Centre, benefiting 800 artisans from 30 indigenous communities, becoming a national model for promoting and protecting crafts.

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