Kokand, Uzbekistan is home to the Second International Festival of Handicrafts and the International Pottery Forum in Rishtan district. This city, located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, is renowned for its combination of traditional oriental sophistication and modernity. It is no wonder that it has been called “elegant”.

Handicrafts have been an integral part of the Uzbek people’s daily life for centuries. Wood and ganch carving, pottery, production of silk and finest fabrics, production of musical instruments, metal engraving, and embroidery of skullcaps are just a few of the handicrafts that have been practiced in the region for thousands of years. Artisans and their works have been featured in many famous museums around the world, showing their significant role in world history and civilization.

Uzbekistan is rapidly developing its national handicrafts. Fergana region is known for its Margilan atlas and adras fabrics, the pottery art of Rishtan, and the schools of wood carving. In Margilan and surrounding areas, about three thousand families are involved in carpet weaving, textile production, national costumes, and shoes. In Rishtan district, more than five thousand families are dedicated to pottery. In Kokand and its vicinity, around 10 thousand families are engaged in wood carving, gold embroidery, and other crafts.

In the past two years, 21 modern Crafts Centers have been built in cities and districts of Fergana region, embodying the “master-apprentice” tradition. In Rishtan district, four centers for artisans specializing in pottery were erected, and two mahallas of potters were created.

Urda Square in Kokand is especially lively and beautiful today, as the grand opening of the Second International Festival of Handicrafts is taking place. Thousands of people have gathered to witness the amphitheater, decorated in accordance with the spirit of the festival. Representatives from 70 countries are participating in the event, including artisans and craftsmen, prominent figures in science, culture, and art, and representatives of authoritative international organizations.

The festival has opened up great opportunities for the sphere representatives. In 2019, at the First International Festival of Handicrafts, Kokand was awarded the status of a World Craft City. This event attracted more than one million guests and foreign tourists, and created thousands of new jobs.

Today, Kokand is a global destination for artisans, with 570 craftsmen from 78 countries and more than 1,000 domestic craftsmen from 14 regions of the country taking part in the First International Festival of Handicrafts. The International Pottery Forum is also being held in Rishtan district, with a scientific and practical conference on “World practice in the preservation and development of traditional arts and crafts”.

The festival includes an exhibition-fair of products of domestic and foreign artisans, press conferences on the festival, ethnic fashion shows, folk festivals, performances of puppet theaters and tightrope walkers, concert programs of regional folklore groups and cultural departments, pilaf competitions, and a trip to the city of Rishtan and Furkat district.

The holiday has acquired a wide scale, and is a celebration not only of Uzbekistan’s multinational people, but also of artisans worldwide.

Kokand is a Global Hotspot for Artisans

Kokand, Uzbekistan is hosting the Second International Festival of Handicrafts and the International Pottery Forum in Rishtan district. This city, located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, is renowned for its combination of traditional oriental sophistication and modernity. It is no wonder that it has been called “elegant”.

Handicrafts have been an integral part of the Uzbek people’s daily life for centuries. Wood and ganch carving, pottery, production of silk and finest fabrics, production of musical instruments, metal engraving, and embroidery of skullcaps are just a few of the handicrafts that have been practiced in the region for thousands of years. Artisans and their works have been featured in many famous museums around the world, showing their significant role in world history and civilization.

Uzbekistan is rapidly developing its national handicrafts. Fergana region is known for its Margilan atlas and adras fabrics, the pottery art of Rishtan, and the schools of wood carving. In Margilan and surrounding areas, about three thousand families are involved in carpet weaving, textile production, national costumes, and shoes. In Rishtan district, more than five thousand families are dedicated to pottery. In Kokand and its vicinity, around 10 thousand families are engaged in wood carving, gold embroidery, and other crafts.

In the past two years, 21 modern Crafts Centers have been built in cities and districts of Fergana region, embodying the “master-apprentice” tradition. In Rishtan district, four centers for artisans specializing in pottery were erected, and two mahallas of potters were created.

Urda Square in Kokand is especially lively and beautiful today, as the grand opening of the Second International Festival of Handicrafts is taking place. Thousands of people have gathered to witness the amphitheater, decorated in accordance with the spirit of the festival. Representatives from 70 countries are participating in the event, including artisans and craftsmen, prominent figures in science, culture, and art, and representatives of authoritative international organizations.

The festival has opened up great opportunities for the sphere representatives. In 2019, at the First International Festival of Handicrafts, Kokand was awarded the status of a World Craft City. This event attracted more than one million guests and foreign tourists, and created thousands of new jobs.

Today, Kokand is a global hotspot for artisans, with 570 craftsmen from 78 countries and more than 1,000 domestic craftsmen from 14 regions of the country taking part in the First International Festival of Handicrafts. The International Pottery Forum is also being held in Rishtan district, with a scientific and practical conference on “World practice in the preservation and development of traditional arts and crafts”.

The festival includes an exhibition-fair of products of domestic and foreign artisans, press conferences on the festival, ethnic fashion shows, folk festivals, performances of puppet theaters and tightrope walkers, concert programs of regional folklore groups and cultural departments, pilaf competitions, and a trip to the city of Rishtan and Furkat district.

The holiday has acquired a wide scale, and is a celebration not only of Uzbekistan’s multinational people, but also of artisans worldwide.