The “Creative Cultural Industries Summit” hosted by Kütahya Municipality and coordinated by the Directorate of Etude and Project, took place in Kütahya from October 19th to 22nd, 2023. During the summit, academic papers on our Creative Cultural Industries were presented, exploring the dynamics of our city adorned with crafts and folk arts, sector-based meetings were held, and the aim was to strengthen cooperation with culture and creativity.
The event encompassed a variety of activities such as closed meetings, panel sessions, the wheel-throwing competition, Raku firing, gastronomy feasts, Zeybek Art performance, and a “Digital Exhibition.” We were delighted to welcome artists, artisans, and city representatives from 40 cities in 20 countries around the world, as well as artists and senior representatives from 18 cities in Türkiye. During the panel sessions, professional and esteemed speakers shared insights and made presentations about the arts that form the foundation of Kütahya’s creative cultural industries. We also commemorated Tile Artist Sıtkı Olçar, one of the Living Human Treasure craftsmen registered by UNESCO in our city, who passed away in 2010. Tile Artist Mehmet Gürsoy and Tile Artist Hamza Üstünkaya joined us at the summit, and a small collection of their works was exhibited in our municipality building. Additionally, a collection belonging to Tile Artist İsmail Yiğit and Alopaşalı İbrahim Kocaoğlu, who are among the artists that have added value to our city, was showcased for art lovers.
Furthermore, in the collection prepared by the Chamber of Çini Artisans of Kütahya, “the world’s largest tile vase” was displayed in our municipal service building, attracting considerable interest. The “Ceramic Walk” was organized with guests from all over the world, culminating in an extraordinary performance where gifts were distributed to our fellow citizens from Kütahya.
External link:
- https://www.kutahya.bel.tr/haber.asp?id=7056
- https://www.kutahya.bel.tr/haber.asp?id=7057
- https://www.kutahya.bel.tr/haber.asp?id=7060
