Srinagar Recognised as World Craft City

Context: Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.

Srinagar Recognised as World Craft City

Srinagar was recently recognized as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council (WCC). This is a significant achievement for the city, highlighting its rich heritage and skilled artisans.

• Date: Officially recognized in June 2024
• Milestone: Srinagar becomes the fourth Indian city to receive this recognition, joining Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore.
• Importance:
  • International Recognition: Elevates Srinagar’s status as a global centre for handcrafted goods.
  • Economic Benefits: Potentially attracts tourists, investors, and buyers interested in authentic crafts, boosting the local economy.
  • Cultural Preservation: Highlights the city’s dedication to preserving traditional crafts and ensuring their survival for future generations.

World Craft Council International

• It is a Kuwait-based organisation dedicated to the recognition and preservation of traditional crafts globally.
• Establishment: Established by Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Margaret M. Patch, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay at the first World Crafts Council General Assembly in New York on June 12, 1964.
• Objective: To enhance the role of crafts in both cultural and economic spheres.
• Functions:
  • Promotes fellowship among craftspersons by providing encouragement, assistance, and advice.
  • Facilitates cultural exchange through conferences, international visits, research studies, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and other activities.
• Affiliation: Affiliated with UNESCO under Consultative Status since its inception.

About World Craft City (WCC) Designation

• Overview: The WCC initiative was launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International).
• Purpose: Recognizes the crucial role of local authorities, craftspeople, and communities in driving cultural, economic, and social development globally.
• Indian Cities with WCC Designation:
  • Jaipur: Known for Kundan Jadai (gem setting), Meenakari jewellery, Lac-based crafts, and Gotta Patti work.
  • Mysuru: Famous for Kinnal paintings, Sandalwood carvings, and Rosewood inlay work.
  • Mamallapuram: Renowned for stone carving, a tradition dating back to the Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE).

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