ETHNOFEST 2018

On September 28,29,30 Tbilisi Second International Summit of Traditional Crafts and Design- ETHNOFEST 2018- organized by Georgian Arts and Culture Center (GACC) was held at EXPO GEORGIA where approximately 150 artisans designers and entrepreneurs from Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia were gathered.

ETHNOFEST 2016 revealed an important role of traditional crafts in the social and economic development of the country. The success of the previous ETHNOFEST was resulted in the high demand from the local and international artisans for holding the summit in biennale mode.

The summit traditionally incorporated educational components: during three days participants were given the opportunity to attend public presentations, masterclasses, and workshops conducted by the international experts in order to diversify and improve the quality of their products. Craftsmen were introduced to contemporary online platforms for selling crafts items and got acquainted with the requirements of the international market, product development perspectives, and trends.  

Public Lectures and Trainings:

• Karen Gibbs- Traditional crafts expert (USA)- Popularity of traditional crafts: An Overview of Market Opportunities for International Handmade Brands
• Paloma Suarez, Crafts Tourism Specialist (UK)- Traditional crafts tourism in Georgia, sustainability and development
• Jeannie Aalfs, Tropenmuseum, Afrika Museum, Museum Volkenkunde, Wereldmuseum (Netherlands)- Cooperation between museum shops and craftsmen
• Andrei M.Georgescu, Marketing Expert (Romania)- Traditional handmade products on the global market
• Irina Koshoridze, Art Historian, director of The State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts (Georgia)- Museum and traditional crafts
• Irina Saganelidze, Art Historian, Co-author of the project Textile From Georgia (Georgia)- Textile from Georgia
• Zurab Potskhishvili (Georgia)- Traditional Handicrafts: Past and Present
• Tamar Kiknadze (Georgia)- World craft council. Craft cities 

Workshops:

Lynda Grose (USA)

• Who are you as a designer/craftsperson? How do you distinguish your work from others?
• Why is Georgia and are Georgian crafts special?
• Mapping mega trends

Irene Vermeulen (Netherlands)

• The market for crafts, locally and internationally
• Exporting to the EU market: Market Segments and distribution channels
• Trends in handmade design 2019

Educational events gave participants a better understanding of the modern requirements and strategies for packaging products and presenting them to the customer.

Alongside the expo, interesting exhibitions were presented to the guests and visitors as well: Historical Samples of Traditional Crafts and Modern Design- the State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts; Textile from Georgia- Georgian Art Palace; Ethnic Evolution- House of National Clothes.

The winner of The Best Stand contest was announced at the closing ceremony of the summit.

ETHNOFEST 2018 was supported by:

The Reserve Fund of the President of Georgia, Tbilisi City Hall, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia, Tbilisi City Council, Georgian National Tourism Administration, Agency of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia- Enterprise Georgia, Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, Ministry of Education and Culture of Adjara, Rustavi Municipality, Gori Municipality, US Embassy in Georgia and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia.