European Folk Craft Festival , Kezmarok , Slovakia
When I first saw received an invitation to the European International Craft Fair from the Kezmarok Municipality,
I was excited at the fact that this was yet another Eastern European creative hub we as an organisation had not tapped, and also the fact that I would have the opportunity to meet rural crafts people not only from Slovakia, but from the countries around. I was not disappointed.
This invitation gave birth to another exchange project and very soon, we were in talks with ULUV – The Centre for Folk Art Production, a Bratislava based organisation and craft school.www.uluv.sk/en.
The institute is financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, and its area of activity includes production of folk art products both in co-operation with producers, development and design of products, sale of folk art products and craft supplies and materials, courses, exhibitions and publishing.
The Centre shop was stocked with beautiful ornate folk craft items ranging from woodwork, egg painting, ceramic art and lacing. I was amazed by the vibrant use of colour across the craft forms. The craft products in the shop range are made mainly from natural materials using classical and rural forms of manufacture. Each product is unique and original.
The next leg of my trip entailed a four hour train ride to Poprad, a small town in the north of Slovakia, at the foot of the Tatry mountains. ELRO would start the next day in Kezmarok, only a thirty-minute bus ride away
.
Kezmarok, also known as the jewel under the Vysoki Tatry Mountains, is a small town with a rich history and valuable historical monuments.
ELRO – The European Folk/Craft Market traditionally takes place every year during the second weekend in July. Every year craftsmen from all around the Slovakia and Eastern Europe come to Kezmarok to show their artistry and craftmanship. The festival is supported by a rich cultural program containing exhibitions of artists and craft workers, folklore ensembles and street parades. I was able to watch musical concerts ,the robust evening program and to network with other creative people.
GALLERY
Kezmarok, also known as the jewel under the Vysoki Tatry Mountains, is a small town with a rich history and valuable historical monuments.ELRO – The European Folk – Craft Market traditionally takes place every year during the second weekend in July. Every year craftsmen from all around the Slovakia and Eastern Europe come to Kezmarok to show their artistry and craftmanship. The festival is supported by a rich cultural program containing exhibitions of artists and craft workers, folklore ensembles and street parades. I was able to watch musical concerts ,the robust evening program and to network with other creative people.
