Craft Developtment Program

Crafts Development Program
Features and Figures

1991-Rabat
International Seminar on Prospects for Development
of Traditional Crafts in the Muslim World

 

1994-Islamabad
The First International Islamic Artisans-At-Work Festival
Craft Awards of the Islamic Artisans Festival
International Seminar on Creativity in Traditional Islamic Crafts

 

1995-Cairo
International Seminar on Crafts in Traditional Islamic Architecture
with special focus on Future Prospects of
Mushrabiyya and Stucco Coloured Glass

 

1997-Damascus
International Seminar on Arabesque in Traditional Crafts
of the Muslim World

 

1999-Tunis
International Seminar on Traditional Carpets and Kilims
in the Muslim World

 

2002-Isfahan
International Congress on Islamic Arts and Crafts

 

2006-Riyadh
International Congress on Tourism and
Traditional Handicrafts, and Accompanying Activities


Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) was established in 1980 as the first subsidiary organ of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) working in the field of culture, in pursuance of the Resolution no. 3/7-ECS of the Seventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Istanbul, 1976).

The Center undertakes research, publishing, documentation and other scholarly activities to better make known the Islamic culture and civilization. The Center’s work covers various subject areas in Islamic history, culture, history of science, arts, history of arts and cultural heritage.

Since 1990, IRCICA gave emphasis to the development of traditional crafts in Member States. With this aim, the Centre undertook a comprehensive program to encourage their revival, preservation and development. The program is enhanced in collaboration with the ministries and other authorities concerned in the Member States and with regional and international organizations. Traditional Craft-making constitutes a sector, which is still developing, and if well employed, it can help in solving the Member States’ economic hardships, fighting unemployment problems, and speeding the cultural and touristic wheels of their economies. IRCICA aims, to focus on specific areas, in which the crafts are facing certain obstacles, and difficulties that prevent their development. These are due mainly to the increasing usage of machinery, the widespread mass production of machine-made products, the hard living conditions which push the artisan to leave the traditional occupation to work in factories, lack of funding, insufficient education and training opportunities, difficulties encountered in marketing, among others. This sector acquires even greater significance than is generally known when one considers that it has the potential of bringing satisfactory investment returns and other economic benefits. It offers job opportunities to a considerable percentage of the manpower without requiring large capital investments; it encourages tourism, increases the national income and the inflow of foreign currency; it provides opportunities for establishing craft villages which can generate greater economic activity on the part of the unemployed portion of the labor force, particularly women; it also offers marketing channels for new and distinct products which distinguish national and local cultures from each other, thus adding to the richness of global culture.

The main target of the Centre is to deal with specific craft topics and evaluate their present state and future prospects in order to develop their economic, social and educational aspects. Achieving such a task would require extensive research and study on design, development of skills, quality craft production, financing, marketing opportunities, and national policies pertaining to consumers through the organization of seminars. Policies and programs to control the endangering of these crafts need to be addressed. Regional comparative overviews of the state of craft development are expected to be the output of these seminars. The collection of data and information, issues, problems and prospects highlighted would provide the base-line data to develop programs of action for the promotion of traditional crafts. These seminars aim to implement the following objectives:--

 

Within this program, the Centre implemented the following activities

International Seminar on Prospects for the Development of Traditional Crafts in OIC Countries, Rabat, 1991, organized by IRCICA, in collaboration with IDB and Ribat al-Fath Association, under the patronage of His Majesty, King Hassan II of Morocco. Experts in this field assembled, to share their experiences and exchange viewpoints on problems and prospects relating to the revitalization of crafts. The main speakers, who discussed issues related to design, development of skills, quality of production, marketing and national policies pertaining to the financing of consumers delivered 34 papers on different topics. It took place in Rabat, where policy-makers, planners, administrators and craftsmen from South-East Asian States, Arab and African Countries and representatives of regional and international organizations came together with experts from UNESCO, Alecso and the World Crafts Council in addition to other international bodies concerned with crafts, to share their experiences and to exchange viewpoints on problems and prospects relating to the revitalisation of traditional crafts. The aim of the Seminar was to provide interesting new approaches and possible solutions to some of the major problems facing the future of crafts, as well as developing a strategy for global cooperation in this concern. The Seminar has paved the way for wider horizons of specific proposals for future developments in the field of traditional industries, each of which necessitates follow-up and implementation among Member States.

Program and Seminar Topics
Various papers on different topics were delivered by main speakers during the Seminar which lasted for three days. In addition, discussions and exhibits were organized by participating experts. The Seminar also discussed issues related to design, development of skills, quality of production, financing, marketing and national policies pertaining to consumers. Following are these topics of discussion:

Keynote address
Living Crafts in Islam: Past, Present and Future

Themes of the papers

  • Islamic Design Heritage-Creating New Dimensions in the 21st Century.
  • Technical Cooperation in Skill Development and Transfer of Technology.
  • Quality Craft Production: Problems and Prospects.
  • Economic and Financial Aspects of Crafts Development.
  • Exploring New Market Opportunities.
  • Government and Patronage: Towards a Dynamic Growth and Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts. Other sub-topics were presented by specialised agencies and organisations, related to the development of crafts such as "Strategies for Marketing Islamic Crafts in the USA''.

Objectives

  • The Seminar aimed to fulfill the following four main elements:-
  • To assess the present state of crafts in the Muslim World;
  • To determine and evaluate the prospects for the economic, social and cultural development of traditional crafts in the respective regions of the Islamic World;
  • To address the issue and establish the level of awareness and appreciation of the contribution made by Islamic cultures and civilizations to crafts and craftsmanship as it is practiced today;
  • To discuss measures that can be taken to guard against the loss of Islamic values and traditions with a view towards maintaining the uniqueness of Islamic craft heritage;
  • To develop a strategy for global cooperation.

Global participation of experts from different parts of the world
The Seminar witnessed a wide range of participants from different countries and associations. The Seminar deliberated upon a variety of subjects, discussions were held and recommendations were made. Participants hailed from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen. Papers were also presented by experts from international organizations and commissions from France and Switzerland and representatives from the Crafts Centre in the USA, the Austrian Institute for Design in Vienna, the Association of Artisans for Catalonia in Spain, the World Crafts Council for Africa, in Mauritius, the Faculty of Science and Technology College in Surrey, United Kingdom, the International Commission for the Preservation of Islamic Cultural Heritage and the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science.

The First International Islamic Artisans-At-Work Festival, Islamabad, 1994, inaugurated by and held under the patronage of H.E. Sardar Leghari, President of Pakistan. It was organized by IRCICA in cooperation with Lok Virsa, UNESCO and the International Islamic Relief Organization. The Festival area was visited by nearly four million people. The Festival included numerous demonstrations of artisans-at-work, the Grand Folkloric Parade, the WCC Asian Assembly and the UNESCO Experts Meeting on the Decade for Crafts Development.

The Festival included numerous demonstrations of artisans-at-work, folkloric parades, and musical performances. Several scholarly and artistic events also took place during the Festival period, including the International Seminar on "Creativity in Traditional Islamic Crafts", the UNESCO Experts Meeting on the Decade for Crafts Development, and the World Crafts Council Asian Assembly meeting.

The Islamabad Festival was the realization of an international dream through international teamwork. 2000 crafts people and delegates from nearly 73 countries (OIC member countries and many others) participated in the events, including China, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Azerbaijan, Kyrghyzstan, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Tataristan, Uzbekistan, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Kazakistan, Nepal, Thailand, Tunisia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Britain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Colombia, Venezuela, Australia, United States of America, Italy, and Mauritius.

One of the many promising results of this Festival was the announcement by certain Member States of their willingness to host this Festival during the coming periods.

Other activities
Within the activities of the Festival and the Seminar, special programmes were organised such as the Grand Folkloric Parade on the main Jinnah Avenue. Artisans, writers, intellectuals, musicians, citizens and craftsmen of the world joined the parade. Colourful floats and costumes were displayed to the company of song and dance.

The traditional ceremony of Dastarbandi took place where the President of the Republic of Pakistan honoured four master artisans, one from each region, by placing a turban or a cloth "chaddar" on the head of these artisans to acknowledge excellence in a field of artistic endeavour.

International Seminar on "Creativity in Traditional Islamic Crafts", Islamabad, 1994. Jointly organized by IRCICA and Lok Virsa, with the collaboration of the International Islamic Relief Organization, and UNESCO. Sixty-five papers were presented by academicians, experts and specialists from nearly 50 countries, on various topics related to the development of traditional skills in modern times and the contemporary state of creativity in crafts, and providing greater stimulus towards reviving creativity element in crafts.

The seminar deliberated on the challenges relating to the development of traditional skills in modern times. Participants examined the contemporary state of the crafts and proposed ways and means for a deeper and mutual understanding of the issues and providing greater stimulus for new activities. For the first time the Seminar offered a unique experience to scholars, academicians and experts from different countries within and outside the Muslim world, to interact and discuss issues of common concern.

Major Speakers and Panels
Over the course of three days, a group of speakers and panels of eminent specialists and scholars in Islamic arts and crafts presented their findings through a discussion of twelve subject areas:

  • Keynote Address: Creativity in Traditional Islamic Arts: Historical Perspectives,
  • Crafts and Islamic Architecture: Illustration of the Creativity of Craftspeople,
  • Creativity in the Art of Calligraphy,
  • Creative Vision in the Art of Miniature,
  • Arabesque Design and Creative Expressions,
  • Employment of New Techniques for the Promotion of Traditional Crafts,
  • Modern Modes of Education and Training in Crafts: The Role of Government and Private Agencies,
  • Changing Perspectives of Crafts in New Economic Realities: Economic and Financial Factors,
  • Innovation in Crafts,
  • Nature and Decorative Motifs in Islamic Arts,
  • Craft Education through Methods of Promoting Creativity in the Crafts;
  • Creative spirit of the Traditional Art of Calligraphy, through the Contemporary Medium of Photography;
  • The Art of Marbling;
  • Development of Textiles Skills of Asian Women in Birmingham
  • Islamic Art in South Africa.

Delegations from the following countries participated in the Seminar: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Australia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iran, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mali, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Tataristan, Tunisia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tanzania, Turkey, United Kingdom, U.S.A., and Uruguay.

Craft Awards of the First International Islamic Artisans-At-Work Festival
LOK VIRSA-IRCICA Craft Awards, Islamabad, 1994
The Festival culminated in a colorful award ceremony. A number of prestigious cash prizes and testimonials were awarded by an international jury of craft experts. IRCICA and Lok Virsa, in collaboration with other interested institutions and organizations have organized this award competition for the aim of creating an inter-regional awareness of the importance of craftspeople through the presentation of masterpieces of their work as a recognition of their contribution to the sector.

2000 craftspeople participated in the award competition. Hundreds of entries were received from Pakistan in addition to entries from China, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iran, South Africa, Lebanon, Syria, Azerbaijan, Kyrghyzstan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Tataristan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Niger, Morocco, Kazakistan, Nepal, Tunisia, and Bahrain.

The winning entries represent the craft masterpieces selected out of the craft innovations of 2000 craftspeople in the following craft areas: Pottery and Ceramics, Colored Glasswork, Miniature Painting, Carpets and Kilims, Textile Weaving, Embroidery, Woodwork, Leatherwork, Metalwork and Jewelry, and Architectural Crafts. Evaluations were made according to the following four criteria: Excellence, Creative Concept, Design, and Invention in Traditional Technique. The winning entries are considered the most innovative craft works made by contemporary craftspeople, who provided every effort to reach excellence in their works.

Aims

This program is designed to realize the following objectives:-

  • To create an inter-regional awareness of the importance of craftspeople through presentation of masterpieces of their works as a recognition of their contribution to the sector,
  • To introduce the works with the aim of enhancing relations and links of cooperation and exchange among craftsmen of the Member States so that they could be informed closely about the products and experiences of each other,
  • To define the technical fields that reflect the spirit of Islamic heritage and attempt to benefit from Islamic art, and at the same time, to emphasize the necessity for setting up programmes and taking measures which aim to ensure creativity, research and organising a system of crafts qualification,
  • To determine, define and ensure a policy for the re-establishment of creativity with the aim of determining and evaluating a defined plan for the economic, social and cultural development of traditional crafts in the respective regions of OIC member countries,
  • To develop these arts and to increase the creative abilities of young craftsmen and artists through granting incentive prizes to young people with the aim of encouraging them to produce new works.

Judging

Judging took place during the festival period between 07 and 15 October, 1994. The criteria for selecting the eligible craft products were determined as follows:-:

Participants were invited to submit their handmade craft pieces (at least two pieces, one finished and one semi-finished, of the same type and category - Semi finished pieces were used for demonstration of craft ability during the Festival.

The Award program was open to all. The work has to be original and not presented to the public before.

Product submitted included information on origin, source of inspiration, materials used and technique applied.

Awards were granted for outstanding contributions in the field of craft and artisanship.

Special consideration was given to master craftspeople who were old and may be the last of their kind in their respective fields.

Special consideration was given also to Craftspeople who are imparting their skill to young generations.

Award for meritorious craftsman/woman endeavouring to revive a rare and dying skill and working on a craft threatened with extinction.

Award for a craftsman/woman who has brought the best sample of his/her work in the Festival and demonstrably proved excellence of skill at work during the Festival.

Craftsman/woman who was crippled as a result of his/her work.

Award in accordance with the criteria laid down by a donor/sponsor.

Other Major Events
The 18th Asian Assembly of the World Crafts Council (8-9 October 1994)
The World Crafts Council, an affiliate of UNESCO, held its Asian General Assembly at Islamabad on this occasion. A variety of craft issues and problems relevant to Asia were discussed and solutions proposed. More than 100 craft specialists and craftspeople from the Asia-Pacific region participated in the event.

UNESCO Experts Meeting on the Decade for Craft Development (13-14 October 1994)
A mid-term meeting of UNESCO Experts was held to review the progress made on the Decade for Craft Development. The deliberations, discussions and recommendations adopted during the course of this meeting were an important futuristic overview on craft development in the world. More than fifty international experts, specialized institutions, and observers participated in the meeting.

The Silk Route Pavilion
A special pavilion depicting food styles, arts, crafts, culture and folk dances of the Central Asian Republics, China, India and Northern Pakistan was set up as a major attraction of the Festival. The Pakistan International Airlines, the Chinese Folk Art and Craft Society, Lok Virsa and the Aga Khan Cultural Services put up special displays as sponsors of this pavilion.

Exhibition of Moghul Architectural Crafts
The Capital Development Authority, Islamabad and Lok Virsa brought master artisans of Moghul Architecture to the Festival venue. These artisans held workshops in such rare techniques as brick calligraphy, marble intarsia, traditional fresco, pietra dura, stucco tracery, and tile mosaic.

Daily Folkloric Performances and Live Concerts by Outstanding Musicians
Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Xinjiang region of China, Republican Puppet Theatre of Tashkent, the Song and Dance Ensembles of Uzbekistan, Kyrghyztan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan gave daily performances. Many outstanding musicians from Pakistan including the celebrated Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gave concerts and Qawwali recitals on this occasion.

The Chinese Folk Literature and Art Society presented a spectacular concert of folkloric songs, music and dance during the Festival. The music concerts were performed with traditional instruments relaying ethnic lyrics. Opera concerts were presented by the Peking Opera Troupe of Xinjiang.

Museum Exhibitions
A number of museums including Lahore Museum, State Museum of Bukhara, State Samarkand Museum of History Architecture and Art, Taxila Gandhara Museum, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and the Lok Virsa Museum set up special exhibits in Islamabad during the Festival.

Photographic Exhibitions of Islamic Heritage
The Photographic Society of Pakistan in collaboration with other agencies exhibited artifacts of Islamic heritage through photographs at the Festival and Symposium venue. Also the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, IRCICA exhibited historical photographs of the Islamic world from the Y›ld›z Palace archives of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

Display Stalls
Cultural productions, audio and video cassettes and books on folklore, arts, crafts and culture were available for sale at this stall.

The First International Seminar on: '' Crafts in Traditional Islamic Architecture with special focus on Mushrabiyya and Stucco Colored Glass: Present State and Future Prospects'', Cairo, 1995, jointly organized by IRCICA and Ministry of Culture, Egypt, and co-sponsored by MBC, London. Fifty research papers were presented by researchers, specialists and professors of architecture from important universities in nearly 40 countries and from 15 regional and international organizations. The Seminar examined the contemporary state of Mushrabiyya and Stucco Colored glass and proposed ways and means for a deeper mutual understanding and greater stimulus for new activities.
A grand folkloric parade at the Opera Foundation, Al Jazeira, Cairo.

The celebrations began with an International Parade comprising delegates from participating countries, craftspeople, artists, folk and traditional troupes from OIC countries bearing the slogan '' Revival and Preservation of Islamic Urban Heritage '' at the Opera House Grounds.-- An international Walk of a group of artisans and delegates from participating countries for the '' Revival and Preservation of the Islamic Urban Heritage''. The Parade was attended by many state ministers of Egypt, delegations of nearly 40 countries from various parts of the world along with representatives of local, regional and international organizations in addition to the ambassadors of OIC Countries and many VIP dignitaries from Egypt. The Parade started from the Cairo Club, accompanied by folklore shows and costumes, music and the flags of the Member States along with the logos of crafts' people, moved to Qasr al-Nil bridge, up to the main gate of Dar al-Opera and ended in front of the main VIP Lounge of ministers and visitors. A group of delegates, intellectuals, writers, artisans, and architects from all over the world participated in this parade with the aim of creating an international awareness of the importance of this heritage, as well as highlighting the kinds of danger it faces which affect its existence, and necessitate a common collaboration for undertaking urgent remedies and action to safeguard these important monuments in the world.

The parade was accompanied by folklore performances and popular live concerts from Egypt and from other regions that continued daily at the Republic Theater in Abdeen and the small Theater, al-Markaz al-Thakafy al-Qawmi during the entire period of the seminar.

Afterwards participants moved to the small theater of the Opera House to attend the official opening of the Seminar.

Exhibitions

Exhibition of '' Historical Photographs from the Archives of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II'' -- Opera House Exhibition Hall.
IRCICA in collaboration with the Central Department of the Foreign Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture - Egypt, displayed historical photographs ( dating from 100 years ago ) of the Islamic World selected from the archives of Sultan Abdulhamid II.

Exhibition of Masterpieces of Crafts in Islamic Architecture -- Modern Egyptian Art Museum -- Opera House Grounds.

Exhibition of '' Modern and Contemporary Works of Art inspired by Islamic Heritage'' -- Al-Hanaguer Arts Centre Exhibition Hall -- Opera House Grounds.
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Workshops of Islamic Crafts -- Wekalet Al Ghouri -- Al-Azhar.

The Seminar discussed issues of development of traditional skills in modern times, examined the contemporary state of mushrabiyya and stucco colored glass and proposed ways and means for a deeper mutual understanding and greater stimulus for new activities. The Seminar offered a unique experience to scholars, academicians and experts from different countries inside and outside the region to interact and discuss issues of common concern. Over the course of six days and within the following sixteen sessions, a group of speakers and panels of eminent specialists and scholars in Islamic arts and crafts presented their findings:--

Performance Program of Folkloric Troupes from Islamic Countries
The event was accompanied by a daily folkloric concerts at different theatres as follows:-

3 December, 1995: Al-Tannoura Folkloric Troupe - at the Al-Ghoury Palace of Heritage, Al-Azhar.

4 December, 1995: Joint performance by the Folkloric Troupes of Algeria - Azerbaijan - Pakistan and Egypt at the National Theatre, Ataba. Followed by daily concerts at the same theatre as follows:

5 December, 1995: Folkloric Troupe of Algeria

6 December, 1995: Folkloric Troupe of Pakistan

7 December, 1995: A Musical and Vocal Recital by the famous Turkish Oud player Cinuçen Tanrıkorur.

8 December, 1995: Folkloric Troupe of Azerbaijan.

 

The First International Seminar on: ''Arabesque in Traditional Crafts of OIC Countries'', Damascus, 1997, organized by IRCICA, in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Culture with the collaboration of UNESCO and MASHAREQ International Establishment. The Seminar deliberated on methods implemented in the art of arabesque and the difficulties encountered in its development. Experts of arabesque, scholars, representatives of specialized centres and institutions assessed the present state of this sector and discussed the future steps to be taken for developing a strategy for global cooperation on this subject. During four days, specialists of arabesque, and concerned institutions, presented 65 research papers and deliberated upon 30 different subject areas. The seminar was also accompanied by various exhibitions.

The seminar discussed issues of design and methods used, technical cooperation for developing skills, exchange of practiced techniques for improving quality of production, education and training of skilled artisans, financing, economy, marketing and obstacles encountered, patronage and national policies which play an important role in promoting traditional crafts.

The major objective of this activity was to promote and create an awareness of Islamic arts and crafts in the world. The meeting provided interesting new approaches and possible solutions to some of the major problems facing the future of crafts development and its specific subjects such as the arabesque. It was a good opportunity for assessing and determining the prospects of economic, social and cultural development of crafts in different regions.

Aims

The Seminar aimed to implement the following recommendations:

to assess the present state of arabesque in crafts in the Islamic world and to determine the economic, social and cultural measures that need to be taken for the future development of this sector;

to discuss measures that can be taken to guard against the loss of Islamic values and traditions with a view towards maintaining the uniqueness of Islamic crafts heritage;

to give incentive prizes to young people with the aim of encouraging them to produce new works in arabesque.

Delegations from the following countries participated: Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Denmark, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, Tataristan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, U.S.A, Uzbekistan, Yemen Republic, Venezuela.

Programme Outline - Special Programmes
Folkloric Performances for the "Revival and Preservation of the Traditional Heritage".
Delegates, intellectuals, writers, artists, artisans and architects from different parts of the world participated in this event, with the aim of creating an international awareness of the importance of this heritage, as well as highlighting the kinds of danger it faces which affect its existence, and necessitate a common collaboration for undertaking urgent remedies and action to safeguard these important monuments in the world. Among the various exhibitions and folklore shows were the following:

Exhibition of Arabesque
Al Jannah Al Dawli, Damascus International Exhibition,
(Exhibitions of participating delegates)
Masterpieces of artisans in this field were displayed at the Damascus International Exhibition showing various aspects of such crafts in design, form and the applied styles. A wide group of countries and crafts authorities and institutions participated in this exhibition including : Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Sudan, Republic of Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and greater participation from the host country. Among the exhibited entries were: crafts of stucco glass, wood, sadaf, silver, ebru and miniature, qishany, batik, carpets and kilims, ornamented plates, drawings on silk and textiles, leather, and so on.

Exhibition of Arabesque in the contemporary Syrian Arabic Arts
Displaying the works of fourteen Syrian artists at the National Museum, Damascus.
Exhibition of Arabesque in Arabic Calligraphy
Displaying the calligraphy masterpieces of twenty six creative Syrian calligraphers at Al-Asad Library.
Photographic Exhibition of Arabesque in Syria
Displaying the photographs of ten Syrian experts in this field at Al Sha'b Hall.
Exhibition of historical photographs of Syria and the Muslim world
Displaying at Bilad Al-Cham Hall in Cham Palace hotel a set of attractive historical photographs ( dating from 100 years ago ) of Syrian cities and of other parts of the Muslim world selected from the archives of Sultan Abdulhamid II and kept at IRCICA photographic archives in Istanbul.

Site Visits to See the Workshops of Arabesque Artisans-At-Work
The program included site visits to see the artisans-at-work showing their skills, techniques and the excellence of their work including the visits to Crafts Bazaar and the Museum of the Traditional Crafts.

Exhibition of Cultural Publications and Materials
Cultural productions, audio and video cassettes and publications on arts, folklore, crafts and culture were displayed at al-Asad Library.

Folkloric Performances and Popular Live Concerts
Attractive performances were presented at Al-Hamra Theater and Al-Cham Theater: Umayya Folkloric Group, Zanoubia Folkloric Group and Aintep Turkish Folkloric Group.

Major Speakers and Panels
During four days, a group of speakers and panels of eminent specialists and scholars in Islamic arts and crafts presented their findings focusing on the following craft and art issues:

Arabesque in the crafts of OIC countries: Past, present and future, with a focus on Syria; The intrinsic relationship between design and the Islamic ornaments: Revival and re-use of the traditional designs; Why was the arabesque born in the cradle of Arab/Islamic Civilization?; Traditions in decorative appearance for interiors of medieval and modern architecture of Uzbekistan; The geometric dimension of the decorative arts, familiar geometrical patterns such as: triangle, tetragon, pentagon, sextagon, circle, star shape, lines, areas, and grounds; Creativity in decorative botanical patterns used in crafts; Decorative designs and patterns in calligraphy; Notes on the design and pattern on Indonesian calligraphy based on archeological objects; Paper and slide presentation on traditional Islamic arts of papermaking and marbling - The vehicle for the Islamic image; The concept in decorating styles on metallic crafts: Engraved calligraphy, incrustation, repousee (beating on the reverse side), grafting and opening, interlacing and other methods; Creativity in wooden decorations: Doors, windows, traditional trunks and other objects - Perfection of wood carving - The wooden frieze in Ibn Tolon Mosque; Decorative wall panels in colored ceramic; Variety in the decorative patterns of carpets and kilims; Arabesque in Islamic ceramic; Education and training, a necessity for qualified skillful craftsmen. Emphasis on arabesque education within the designated program; Economic and financial aspects in the development of ornamental arts; Patronage and government: Their main role for developing arabesque in crafts; Art of ornamentation and decoration - A principal component in the Islamic architectural heritage; The influence of the Islamic decorative art on European art - Metaphoric decoration in the A1 Hambra Palaces, Andalus, Spain; An analysis of the meaning of arabesque in its relation with unity, its development through ages and places and its effect on the contemporary European art; Exploring new marketing opportunities for Islamic crafts in the world; Arabesque Arts in the Qur’an; The Arabesque word in Syrian Arts (Roots - Facts- Changes).

The First International Seminar on Traditional Carpets and Kilims in the Muslim World: Past, Present and Future Prospects for Developing this Heritage in the context of Continuous Changes of the Market, Design, Quality and Applied Techniques, Tunis, 19-25 November 1999
IRCICA and the Handicrafts National Agency (O.N.A.) of the Ministry of Tourism, Leisure and Handicrafts, in Tunisian Republic, co-organised this event in cooperation with Mashareq International Establishment, Jeddah, and with the participation of the International Centre for the Promotion of Crafts (CIPA), Fez. The seminar took place in Tunis between 19 to 25 November 1999. Under the general theme, it addressed all aspects of the traditional carpets and kilims sector in different parts of the Muslim world, including the various schools, the designs, materials and techniques used, the current status of the sector and future prospects for its development, as an heritage sector of special importance, the lack of qualified man-power, and the need for draining the preservation of the traditional authenticity of these crafts.

It provided a forum for experts, artisans and writers on the subject, as well as centers and institutions concerned with the development of this craft in the OIC Member States and around the world, who assessed the present state of the sector, exchanged information on the methods applied in their respective countries, and discussed the ways and modalities of developing this craft in the coming decade.

The seminar offered an opportunity for policy-makers, planners and administrators concerned with the development of the traditional carpets and kilims sector to meet, consult with one another and exchange views and experiences on existing obstacles and future prospects for reviving these crafts and arts in the Islamic world with a view to drawing up an action - oriented policy for the promotion of the sector which involves a combination of cultural, economic, touristic and heritage factors in the Member States.

Over a period of five days, a group of eminent researchers including experts in the field of carpets and kilims and specialists from Members States presented a number of papers on various topics. They hail from Azerbaijan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Burkina Faso, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Syria, Malaysia, Tataristan, Yemen Republic, Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Germany, U.S.A., India, Mauritius, Netherlands, South Africa, and the Host Country Tunisia. This is in addition to experts and representatives of the following international organisations: UNESCO, Paris; International Trade Centre, Geneva; World Crafts Council; International Centre for the Promotion of Crafts (CIPA), Fez, Morocco; the Secretariat of the World Crafts Council, Kyoto, Japan ; Heritage and Environment Trust, Cologne, Germany; GHEREH International Carpet and Textile Review, Turin - Italy ; Halı Carpet Magazine, London, United Kingdom, along with further institutions, centers and organisations working in this field.

70 research papers were presented constituting a survey of the present state of the sector in a number of leading countries in this field, and covering the following pertinent issues:

Traditional Carpet and its development through history.

The Kilim in the Member States and its various schools - (historical survey and development).

Popularity of the traditional carpets and kilims in the world and their role in publicising some aspects of the Islamic cultural heritage.

Traditional Carpets and Heritage

Designs and styles in carpets and kilims - Revival and re-use of traditional patterns.

Revival and development of the craft of restoring old pieces of carpets and kilims.

Use of modern technology to obtain a wide variety of designs and colors.

Artisans Status and Skill Development

Profiles of the craft-worker and trade organisations,

Education, training, role of technical co-operation and exchange of techniques to improve skills.

Raw Materials and Tools and their Effects on Product Quality

Materials used and their development through the ages: availability of raw materials and difficulty of acceding to them under certain circumstances.

Traditional tools used in the carpets and kilims craft and their development.

Markets of Traditional Carpets and Kilims

Exploring new marketing opportunities, and assessing the size of commercial exchanges and of the labor force employed in this sector,

Quality and market demands: Attending to clients' tastes while keeping traditional authenticity.

Negative effects of modern technology due to competition of industrial mass production with hand-made products.

Craft villages and experiences of Member States.

Distribution Channels

Organising the relationship between the producer (artisan and crafts institution) the intermediary and the trader in a fair manner and encouraging promotional institutions.

Product Development and Promotion

Economic and financial factors involved in the development of carpets and kilims in the Muslim world and role of the Government and sponsorship in this process.

Availability and exchange of documentation on carpets and kilims in the Member States

The seminar were accompanied with the following major exhibitions

International Exhibition of Traditional Carpet and Kilim Masterpieces from OIC Countries and the 17th Tunisian Salon of Creativity in Crafts:
These exhibitions were inaugurated by H.E. President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, President of Tunisian Republic, along with many Ministers and ambassadors of OIC Member states and other countries. The inauguration were also attended by a delegation of the seminar participants and representatives of media institutions. The exhibition displayed the different types, designs and styles applied in various regions of OIC countries. Artisans displayed also workshops of their products showing tools and applied techniques.

All these exhibitions were enriched by the various creative craft entries displayed within the 17th Tunisian Salon of Creativity in Crafts. Two hundred and fifty exhibitors and creators from different Tunisian districts participated in this exhibition. Nearly seventy five thousand visitors came to see the stands of this Salon. The various activities of the Salon aimed at developing all the traditional products of the districts. The Salon became a meeting place of creators, craftspeople and customers.

Site Visits to the Workshops of Artisans of Traditional Carpets and Kilims:
Site visits to see master artisans of traditional carpets and kilims were also arranged visiting the Carpets Museum at KAIROUAN city - Museum of Zarbiya, Centre for Traditions and Artistic Crafts in Baroutta, one of the most important historical monuments in Kairouan. The trip also included a visit to KAN Village in Bouficha to see artisans-at-work.

Exhibition of Publications and Materials:
The activities of the seminar included also the display of publications, audio and video films, and relevant materials on carpets and kilims from the Member States.

Folkloric Performance from Tunisia
During the seminar, two folklore performances were presented showing various Tunisian Traditional Costumes and folklore, including two traditional music shows, one by Al Rachidi Institute Group, and the other by the National Group for Popular Arts at Dar Husseyin Bay, one of the old houses of Tunis.

International Congress on Islamic Arts and Crafts, Isfahan between 04 and 09 October 2002
IRCICA and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Iran jointly organized this Congress which took place in Isfahan between 04 and 09 October, 2002. It witnessed a wide participation of the representative of various international organizations and experts of the field from member countries. The Congress tried to highlight Islamic culture through its arts and crafts by pointing out their beauty and value. In addition, it suggested ways and means to create favorable conditions for artists and crafts people, conditions which are critical in encouraging them to continue their skills and to transfer them to the next generations. It is essential both for the preservation and the continuity of the cultural heritage of the Islamic World.

The Congress deliberated on the challenges relating to design and methods used, technical cooperation and developing skills, exchange of techniques practiced, improvement of the quality of production, education and training of skilled artisans, financing, economy, marketing and the obstacles encountered, patronage and national policies.

The Congress aimed to promote and assist the creation of an awareness of Islamic arts and crafts in the world. It provided a unique opportunity for raising interesting new approaches and possible solutions to some of the major problems facing the future of Islamic arts and crafts development. The event tried as much as possible to assess and determine the prospects of economic, social and cultural development of Islamic arts and crafts in various regions.

75 research papers were presented constituting a survey of the present state of Islamic arts and crafts in a number of leading countries in this field. Delegations hailed from the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, England, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Syria, Tatarstan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and the host country Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of the participants were scholars of history of art, experts, specialists, academicians, policy-makers, planners, arts administrators, artisans, and representatives from universities and institutions concerned with Islamic arts and crafts.

Over the course of 5 days a group of speakers and panels of eminent scholars and specialists in Islamic arts and crafts presented their findings on the following topics:

Islamic Arts: As Communication Media from the 8th Century AD to the 21st Century;

The Mystical Origins of Art and Beauty in Islam with Reference to Mathnavi;

Islamic Arts and Crafts in Indonesia;

Sufism and the Art of Calligraphy;

Religious Paintings in Islam;

The Influence of Islamic Arts and Crafts on European Art;

The Place of Art in Islamic Civilization;

A Masterpiece of the Islamic Iranian Art: The Paradise-Garden and its influence in Italy and Europe;

The Art of the Story: A Western Artist Inspired by Islamic Art and Eastern Ideas;

Islamic Architecture: Revival and Re-use of the Traditional Patterns;

A Muslim City at the Edge of the Islamic World: Livno in Western Bosnia and its Monuments;

Ornaments Associated with the Architecture of Seljuks in Iran and in Turkey;

Ornaments Associated with Timurid Architecture;

Civilizational Diversity and its Impact on the Development of Islamic Architectural Arts;

The Restoration of Traditional Dwellings in Central Asia – An Atlas of Building Elements from the City of Bukhara;

Bead, the Bright Jewel of Iranian Art;

Aesthetics of the Beads of Seljuk Era;

Islamic Bazaars as Master Pieces and Inspiring Places for Artisans;

Tradition of Islamic Textiles;

Modern Modes of Education and Training in Embroidery;

Traditional Costumes: Eradication or Survival;

Influence of Iranian Nastaliq on Turkish Calligraphers;

Samples of Mir Imadü’l-Haseni’s works in Istanbul;

Present State of the Art of Calligraphy;

Calligraphy – Future Evolution;

Creativity in Miniature Painting;

Migrations of Miniature painters between Iran and India during the 16th and 17th centuries;

Creativity and Innovation in the Islamic Art of Miniatures;

Introduction of Naqsh-e Jahan Museum in Isfahan;

The Mosaic School in Hisham’s Palace, Jericho (The Revival of an Ancient Craft);

A Heritage of Papermaking: a Gift to Today's Artisan;

Ebru: Painting on Water;

The Art and Craft of Papermaking;

Gilding and Binding in the Muslim World;

The Art of Wooden Works and Developments;

Islamic Ceramics and the Tradition of Iznik;

The Tiles of the Dome of the Rock: Effects and Influences on the Local Ceramic Craft in Palestine;

Carving in the History of Islamic Art;

Creative Islamic Ornaments on Metal Craft-works;

Carpets and Kilims and Role in the Cultural and Economic Life of Member States;

Tatar Art of Jewellery: Traditions and Innovations;

Embroidery as a Source of Income for Afghan Women;

Reciprocal Relation between Modernity and Islamic Arts through Some Examples from Architecture and Painting Works;

Developing Craft Traditions as a Contemporary Form of Creative Expression and Cultural Identity – Notes on the Decorative Repertoire of Tribal Bedouin Weavings of Kuwait;

Art of Glassworking in Iran;

Role of Government and Private Agencies for Exploring Opportunities of Growth and Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts;

The Place of Carpet in Culture, Art, Economy, and Industry;

Highlight of the UNIDO Artisan Crafts Development Program;

Changing Perspectives of Islamic Arts in New Economic Realities: Economic and Financial Factors;

Marketing Difficulties in the field of Islamic Arts and Crafts;

Handicrafts development in Algeria;

An Assessment of School Curriculum for Education of Islamic Arts and Crafts in Bangladesh;

Arts in Kazakhistan;

Development and Preservation of Art and Crafts: A Malaysian Experience;

Islamic Aesthetics in Transformation;

18th and 19th Centuries Ottoman Woodcraft;

Wooden Arts in Qatar;

Islamic architecture in the Monuments of Kazakh.


Special Program

The Congress included, besides other attractions:

An International Walk of the participants including the artisans under a slogan entitled: ‘Revival and Preservation of the Islamic Cultural Heritage’.
Friday 04 October, 2002, Imam NAGHSH-E JAHAN Square
The main aim is to create an international awareness of the importance of this heritage, as well as highlighting the kinds of danger it faces which affects its existence and necessitate an international collaboration for taking urgent measures to safeguard these important monuments in the world.

Exhibition of a set of masterpieces of Islamic arts and crafts
This exhibition displayed pieces of excellence in the field of Islamic arts and crafts presenting different types, designs and styles applied in various regions of OIC countries.

Artisans as at Work and Pavilions
Artists, skilled crafts people displayed their skills and products through country pavilions of arts and crafts - a craft Bazaar to provide interaction between crafts commerce and production. Master artisans from the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) displayed their skills, techniques and the excellence of their work in specially designed exhibition pavilions.

Site visits to the workshops of Artisans
The program included site visits to see artisans-at-work in Isfahan. Master artisans displayed skills, techniques, various designs and products of their art works.

Exhibition of cultural publications and relevant materials
The program included also display stalls of cultural productions, audio and videocassettes, multi-media publications and books on Islamic arts and crafts.

 

International Congress on Tourism and Traditional Handicrafts, and Accompanying Activities, Riyadh between 07 and 14 November 2006

Within the Crafts Development Program of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Istanbul, the International Congress on Tourism and Traditional Handicrafts and the accompanying activities was inaugurated on 16 Shawal 1427H/07 November 2006 under the High Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. The event was given a special concern by HRH Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. HRH Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, Head of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Commission for Tourism inaugurated the Riyadh Congress on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques accompanied by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, the Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, along with H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference and Dr. Halit Eren, Director General of the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). The Inauguration ceremony was attended by many Saudi Ministers and Ministers of OIC Member States along with a number of Ambassadors represented in Riyadh. The inauguration of the International Congress on Tourism and Handicrafts also included the inauguration of the following specialized exhibitions:

Exhibition of Crafts Masterpieces from the Muslim World,

Exhibition of books, publications, albums, and pictures that were issued in the field of traditional handicrafts of the Islamic world,

Bazaar of the traditional handicrafts of the member states,

Live displays of Islamic artisans at work,

International Award for the craft innovators in the Muslim World,

Exhibitions of the Saudi Women Charities in the field of crafts.