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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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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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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Sharjah

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2019

City presentation

Harjah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, spans 235 square kilometers along the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The city celebrates its cultural heritage through traditional crafts like ‘Talli’ weaving, which plays a vital role in supporting female artisans. Though niche, this craft sector is growing and contributes to Sharjah’s cultural identity.

Sharjah actively promotes its heritage through festivals like Sharjah Heritage Days and workshops organized by the Sharjah Art Foundation, which preserve and transfer traditional skills to future generations. The Bidwa initiative further supports this sector, providing vocational training to over 60 artisans, empowering women, and opening new market opportunities.

With Emiri Decree No. 5 of 2017, Sharjah ensures long-term preservation of its cultural heritage in line with international standards. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Sharjah plans to foster collaborations with UNESCO cities, create exhibition spaces, offer vocational training, and establish an awards scheme to recognize artisans’ contributions.

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Sheki

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Sheki, one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan with a population of 172,000, is renowned for its rich architectural heritage, sericulture, and traditional crafts. Historically significant as a stronghold on the Silk Roads, Sheki showcases well-preserved monuments and is known for its unique crafts, particularly shebeke (wooden-framed stained glass) and pottery. The city remains a major silk production center in the Caucasus, with crafts accounting for 14.4% of its income and employing 253 craftsmen, including 59 women.

To support the crafts sector, the Sheki Crafts Association was established in 2006 through the World Bank’s Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage Project. The association organizes craft fairs, conferences, and training sessions to enhance working conditions, develop entrepreneurial skills, and raise awareness of traditional crafts among youth. Recent initiatives by the municipality have promoted employment and social security for artisans, contributing to a 22.3% increase in craft sector employment from 2013 to 2014. Efforts to protect intellectual property rights have further empowered Sheki’s craftsmen by establishing a new legislative framework for their creative works.

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Sokodé

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

Sokodé, Togo’s second-largest city with 95,070 residents, is celebrated for its weaving tradition, crucial for producing daily clothing and ceremonial garments like embroidered boubous for Tem knights. Weaving represents over 35% of the city’s craft sector, significantly boosting the local economy. Major events, such as the Togo Sokodé International Fair and Gadao-Adossa Festival, promote the arts, while the Inter-Professional Grouping of Craftsmen and Women of Togo (GIPATO) trains new weavers in traditional techniques.

The 2015-2019 Communal Development Plan prioritizes culture for sustainable urban growth, focusing on local tourism, workshops for artisans, and plans for a communal museum. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Sokodé aims to implement the SOS Crafts Project to engage youth and marginalized women, establish a crafts and folk art farm, and foster collaboration among artisans to tackle challenges and enhance their skills.

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Srinagar

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Srinagar, renowned for its handicrafts and handloom products, boasts a rich arts and crafts heritage dating back to the 14th century. The city is home to tens of thousands of artisans skilled in various crafts, creating a vibrant market that connects them directly with consumers and showcases their products. The handicraft sector plays a vital role in the local economy, generating income, fostering community well-being, and creating employment opportunities. Enhanced marketing initiatives have further amplified this sector’s impact on Srinagar’s development.

As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Srinagar aims to improve the local living environment and infrastructure for creatives, with a special emphasis on supporting local artisans. The city also seeks to empower youth, women, and vulnerable groups by developing their craft skills, while promoting knowledge exchange, innovation, and information dissemination within the creative field.

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