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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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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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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Trinidad

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2019

City presentation

Trinidad, located on the southern coast of Santi Spíritus, Cuba, boasts a rich history of craftsmanship, especially in fiber fabrics, which continues to be a vital source of income for its residents, generating nearly US$500,000 annually. Local craft traditions are passed down through generations and preserved within homes. The city organizes numerous exhibitions, fairs, and seasonal markets, offering artisans platforms to display their work, such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day events. Permanent exhibitions, like those by artists Magalis Ramírez and Lucía Jiménez, also invite public interaction and offer summer courses.

Trinidad’s handicrafts sector aligns with Goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on gender equality by promoting female artisans. Craft schools and workshops, as well as the School of Trades of Restoration, teach traditional techniques and introduce new technologies, while helping marginalized youth enhance their skills and integrate into the city’s social fabric.

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Weifang

City of Crafts and Folk Art since 2021

City presentation

Weifang, known as the birthplace of the kite and a hub of crafts and creativity, has a rich history dating back 2,400 years. By the 5th and 6th centuries, it emerged as a center for Buddha statue making, and since the 18th century, it has been recognized as a crafts capital in northern China. The city is famous for various art forms, including kites, Chinese New Year paintings, papercutting, peach pit carving, and silver inlaid painting. Embracing both tradition and innovation, Weifang has hosted 38 International Kite Festivals, fostering cultural and economic exchanges with over 110 countries.

With over 1,800 craft workshops employing around 100,000 people, including 40,000 women, the city’s cultural industries generated USD 3.56 billion in GDP in 2020. As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Weifang aims to promote research in crafts, create jobs, nurture emerging cultural industries, and enhance international collaboration.

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