VISEGRAD FUND
An international folk art project was launching in Békéscsaba, aiming to revive the folk craftsmanship of the V4 countries through the development of the creative industry.
The Békés County Folk Art Association, with the support of the International Visegrad Fund, has launched the 18-month international project titled: "Revitalizing the folk craftsmanship of the V4 countries through the development of the creative industry."
The first stage of the project is took place in Hungary, in Békéscsaba. The program served a dual purpose:
1. On one hand, it involved organizing a professional workshop that would later be implemented at further project locations—the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia—with the cooperation of partner organizations.
2. On the other hand, project participants and guests actively joined the program of the XX. Carpathian Basin Folk Textile Festival, both as guests and as presenters.
The professional conference held on the third day of the festival focused on how Visegrad countries preserve and pass on their folk textile traditions. Topics presented included embroidery, weaving, felting, lace-making, and the culture of traditional costumes.
Project Partners
The program involves leading cultural institutions from the four Visegrad countries:
- Národní ústav lidové kultury (Czech Republic) – Guardian of the intangible cultural heritage of the Czech Republic.
- Zakopiańskie Centrum Kultury (Poland) – A municipal cultural institution dedicated to promoting local culture.
- Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby – ÚĽUV (Slovakia) – An internationally recognized institution in the field of supporting and developing craftsmanship.
- Békés County Folk Art Association (Hungary) – The lead applicant.
During the program, each of the four countries highlighted and reimagined several characteristic folk costumes. During the professional workshops, participants worked together on how to apply traditional costume elements in a contemporary form.
Documenting the process and publicly presenting the results contributes to the survival of traditional culture while opening new opportunities for the creative industry. Nearly 20 experts from the four countries are currently working toward this goal.
The process has just begun, with several stages to come... and we eagerly await the results!
