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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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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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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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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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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Tambasasayama

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2015

City presentation

Located in Japan’s Hyōgo region, Tambasasayama is renowned for its rich diversity of over 4,700 crafts and folk art expressions, most notably tanba-yaki pottery. This ancient craft, passed down for over eight centuries, is one of Japan’s “Six Old Kilns” and remains a source of local pride. The Tanba-yaki Pottery Festival, held annually at the Museum of Ceramic Art, attracts over 140,000 visitors worldwide, showcasing the best of this pottery. Tambasasayama also hosts the Dekancho Festival, celebrating the traditional bon-odori folk dance.

To support its crafts sector, the city has implemented various training programs and cooperative associations, promoting sustainable urban development. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Tambasasayama aims to pass on tanba-yaki skills to future artisans, establish a school for innovation, foster artistic exchanges, and strengthen ties with other Creative Cities to explore connections between crafts and gastronomy.

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Tétouan

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017

City presentation

With a population of 400,000, Tétouan is Morocco’s second-largest economic hub in the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region. The city’s craft traditions date back to its 15th-century founding, and its urban planning reflects its craftsmanship, with specialized craft neighborhoods for Zellige, Taajira embroidery, and wood and ironwork. Drawing from its Arab-Andalusian heritage, Tétouan’s arts and crafts are known for their masterful craftsmanship, supported by nearly 6,000 craft units and 150 young artisans entering the market annually.

Crafts in Tétouan play a significant role in community-building and contribute to the local economy. Events like the Rencontres des Artisans and the Marché au fil du temps, held alongside the Women’s Voices International Music Festival, showcase local artisans, particularly women. Tétouan’s Urban Development Programme and Regional Development Plan have upgraded community spaces, modernized craft infrastructure, and supported the federation of craft guilds to promote networking and training opportunities.

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Umngeni Howick

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2023

City presentation

Umngeni Howick, located along the Midlands Meander tourist route in South Africa, is home to over 170 craftspeople working in diverse fields such as ceramics and sculpture. The city and the nation actively support its artisans through initiatives like the Zulu Mphopomeni Tourism Enterprise programme, which is community-led and aims to ensure the economic sustainability of craftspeople while revitalizing Zulu culture. In collaboration with the Midlands Meander association, Umngeni Howick and the nation have trained 50 craftspeople and are planning to launch an online platform to help artisans sell their products.

As a UNESCO Creative City, Umngeni Howick is focused on elevating local crafts through events like the planned Indaba craft festival, modeled after Cape Town’s Indaba design festival. This initiative aims to highlight local talent and foster intercultural dialogue by inviting craftspeople from other Creative Cities. Another planned festival will celebrate craftspeople preserving Zulu cultural heritage, aligning the city and the nation with UNESCO’s efforts to support indigenous communities.

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