Höhr-Grenzhausen

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2025

City presentation

Deep in the Kannenbäckerland region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Höhr-Grenzhausen sits atop Germany’s largest contiguous clay deposits, a geological endowment that has sustained ceramic life here since the Middle Neolithic. Salt trade routes in the 15th century and abundant forest resources for kiln firing helped transform this natural advantage into a structured pottery economy whose influence endures today. Around 40 workshops and studios operate alongside small and medium enterprises active in ceramic and glass production, collectively supporting some 500 jobs across craftsmanship, education, research and marketing. The Westerwald stoneware tradition was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage register in 2016. At the heart of the city’s creative ecosystem stands the Ceramics Education and Research Center, an umbrella body uniting eight specialised institutes covering everything from vocational training to advanced research. The Westerwald Ceramic Museum and events such as the European Ceramics Market round out a rich offer for professionals and the wider public alike.

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Hoi An

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2023

City presentation

Hội An, located in Central Vietnam, is a beautiful city with an ancient town recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999; Chàm Islands – Hội An was recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009; and the art of Bài Chòi in Central Vietnam, effectively practiced in Hội An, was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. In 2023, Hội An joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of Crafts and Folk Art.

Hội An’s intrinsic strength is the resonance of work, creativity, indigenous cultural values and the absorption of the quintessence from countries that have come to trade over the long periods. From experts, artists, intellectuals to workers, farmers, etc.; from indigenous communities to individuals from other places; they have all brought together the essence of labor, innovation and the determination to create a source of creativity for this land.

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Icheon

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2010

City presentation

Since becoming a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art, Icheon has established itself as a leader in the Korean crafts industry, particularly in ceramics. With a tradition spanning over 1,000 years, Icheon is pivotal in both modern and traditional ceramics. The city boasts essential infrastructure, including industrial enterprises and educational institutions, making it the only crafts-specialized zone in Korea.

The ceramic belt around Icheon produces 55% of the nation’s ceramics, featuring 320 studios, making it the largest center for crafts in Korea. Events like the Icheon Ceramic Festival and the International Sculpture Symposium promote cultural exchange and creativity. Icheon is committed to preserving its cultural heritage while sharing its values with other cities globally.

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Isfahan

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2015

City presentation

Isfahan, Iran’s third largest city with 1.5 million inhabitants, is a hub for crafts and folk art, featuring 9,000 workshops across 167 disciplines, including carpet weaving, metalwork, and ceramics. The historic Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serves as the main venue for showcasing high-quality crafts. Events like the International Cultural Heritage Festival highlight local and international artistry, with a special focus on female artisans.

Isfahan’s Municipality actively promotes social cohesion and the preservation of traditional knowledge through training workshops and financial support, particularly via Handicrafts Cooperative Societies. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Isfahan aims to enhance the capacities of artists, promote gender equality, and foster international cooperation, ensuring the growth and visibility of its rich craft heritage.

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Jingdezhen

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2014

City presentation

Jingdezhen, often referred to as the “Porcelain Capital,” boasts a legacy of porcelain production that dates back over 1,700 years, making it China’s foremost ceramic production center. Renowned for high-quality porcelain, the city has historically facilitated cultural and commercial exchanges along the Silk Road.

In recent years, Jingdezhen has leveraged its cultural assets to organize prominent events in ceramic arts, such as the World Summit of Mayors from Ceramic Cities and the Jingdezhen International Ceramic Fair, promoting cultural heritage and diversity. These initiatives emphasize capacity building and international collaboration, particularly with Africa and the Arab States, establishing Jingdezhen as a vibrant creative city. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts, Jingdezhen aims to foster exchanges among member cities, promote industrial cooperation, share creative processes, and host forums focused on the protection of intangible heritage and crafts.

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João Pessoa

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

João Pessoa is the capital of Paraíba, in the northeast of Brazil. The third oldest city in the country, founded in 1585, it is also known as the “Gateway to the Sun” because it is located on the easternmost point of the Americas. A UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017, it has been implementing various initiatives aimed at incorporating the concepts of creativity and innovation, as well as the transversality of segments, fostering the local economy and meeting the commitments made when the municipality joined the UCCN.

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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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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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Lubango

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2025

City presentation

Rising in the southern highlands of Angola, Lubango is the administrative capital of Huíla Province and the region’s most populous city. Its 22 urban and peri-urban neighbourhoods are home to a richly multi-ethnic population whose cultural diversity finds expression in initiation rites, music, dance and a wide range of artisanal practices. Pottery, basketry, jewellery, footwear, and stone and wood sculpture form the core of local craft production, alongside textile traditions including Samakaka — recognised as national cultural heritage — and handmade Nonkako sandals, both embodying knowledge systems rooted in the local territory. Around 650 artisans organised into three cooperatives, and some 120 folklore practitioners, sustain a creative sector that provides self-employment and skills development, particularly for young people. Production, exhibition and sales are supported by a business incubator, two arts centres, municipal markets and a network of craft kiosks distributed across public spaces. Events such as the Expo-Huíla and local handicraft fairs ensure ongoing public visibility for the city’s artisans.

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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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Masaya

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2025

City presentation

Just 28 kilometres from the Nicaraguan capital, Masaya holds an unrivalled place in the country’s cultural landscape as its foremost centre of craftsmanship. Textiles, leatherwork, pottery, metalwork, woodwork, traditional sweets and decorative objects flow from workshops embedded in a social fabric where craft and festivity are inseparable. Dance, music, popular theatre and street celebrations punctuate the city’s calendar, culminating in the country’s longest traditional festival, which runs from September to December. The economic weight of this creative culture is considerable: 1,192 craft establishments are officially registered, and artisanal activities account for roughly one in three jobs across the city. Dedicated infrastructure — including the Handicrafts Market, Houses of Culture and Creativity, Schools of Arts and Trades, museums and cultural squares — provides the foundation for production, training and skills transmission across generations.

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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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Nan

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2025

City presentation

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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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