Srinagar’s ‘World Craft City’ tag will promote global links

• Srinagar has earned the World Craft City tag from the World Crafts Council, a non-government organization working to empower artisans and safeguard craft heritage globally.

Highlights:

• The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage-Kashmir, described the honor as the “latest recognition of the skill base of Kashmir”.
• “This will provide a boost to Kashmir’s traditional linkages with Central Asia and Iran.
• There are 14 Iranian cities listed as craft cities by the Council and,
  • The honor for Srinagar will lead to knowledge exchange.
  • This is likely to re-open Kashmir’s centuries-old linkages with craft centers in Central Asia and Iran.
• The Council is the modern-day means and medium to put the focus on places that have been engaged in creativity and aesthetics for centuries.
• The last century saw Kashmir’s traditional routes slowly closing down,
  • The WCC has provided a new highway for artisans to achieve a new trajectory.

Prelims Takeaway:

• World Crafts Council
• Indian Handicrafts