Indonesia is actively promoting Catholic tourism on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, aiming to increase visitor numbers, stimulate economic growth, and preserve the region’s rich religious and cultural heritage. This initiative involves government support, collaboration with the Catholic Church, and the promotion of key festivals like the Semana Santa celebration in Larantuka.
Art of Heritage, led by HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage. With a collection of over 57,000 artifacts and initiatives like Yadawi, the organization aims to empower artisans, revive endangered crafts, and connect the past with the present. Princess Alfaisal believes that the loss of heritage crafts poses a threat to national identity and emphasizes the importance of creating new markets and training programs to support cultural practitioners.
London-based textile designer, inspired by her Indonesian mother’s extensive batik collection, has partnered with a menswear brand to create a 30-piece upcycled collection using traditional techniques. Recognizing the diminishing popularity of hand-drawn batik, the designer aims to exhibit the artistry and cultural significance of this UNESCO-recognized craft through collaborations and exhibitions.
Founder Len Cabili’s childhood immersion in Maranao and Higaonon cultures sparked her passion for preserving Mindanao’s traditional weaves. Inspired by a life-changing encounter with Tboli weavers in 2009, she established Filip + Inna to showcase the region’s rich craftsmanship. The brand collaborates with 19 communities, fostering relationships through personal connections and ensuring fair compensation. Filip + Inna’s main operations in Mandaluyong include a workshop, office, and boutique, where Len values the creativity and agency of her predominantly female team.
Athens, renowned for its historical landmarks, has witnessed an increase in anti-tourism sentiment among locals. Despite the economic benefits, residents express frustrations through protests and graffiti, highlighting the struggle between tourism and preserving the city’s well-being. The Greek government’s ongoing promotion of tourism, such as offering free vacations, overlooks the growing local dissent. This situation raises questions about the future of travel and tourism in such cities, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both resident welfare and cultural preservation.
Growing up in a multicultural environment, children often face questions about their heritage and identity. This article explores the complexities and nuances of raising children in environments where different cultures intersect. The author discusses the importance of preserving one’s heritage while fostering open-mindedness and embracing diversity. The article highlights the need for dialogue, understanding, and shared experiences to create a sense of belonging for children.
This weekend marks the inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a four-day event showcasing the latest collections from 17 Indigenous designers. The event highlights the growing demand for Indigenous couture while embracing the diversity and innovation within the community.
Avvai Home TVR Girls’ Higher Secondary School, located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, fosters a unique tradition of using mealtimes as an opportunity for students to express themselves through the ancient percussion instrument known as the parai. The parai attam group, formed in 2016, has gained recognition for its captivating performances and has become a symbol of the school’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while empowering young women.
The Gullah Geechee, descendants of enslaved people living along the Southeast coast, face threats to their homeland and traditions from climate change. Queen Quet, their chieftess, has raised awareness of these dangers and urged action to protect them. The Biden administration and NOAA have invested in coastal communities like the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor to strengthen resilience against sea level rise and erosion, supporting projects such as living shorelines and oyster reef restoration.
Over two days in April, the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) in Nicosia welcomed 160 schoolchildren from Cyprus public schools for educational sessions on Cyprus Handcrafted Heritage, organized by the BE OPEN Foundation. The initiative aims to preserve and popularize traditional Cyprus fabric production techniques.
The sessions included lectures on craft-related entrepreneurship by Andreani Panayide, a young entrepreneur who shared her journey from exploring cultural heritage to establishing an international fashion brand, and masterclasses in traditional Cypriot weaving by Elli Filokyprou, a weaver with over 20 years of experience.
Representatives from Cyprus’s cultural and educational authorities and institutions, including the Deputy Minister of Culture and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth, supported and inaugurated the classes. They emphasized the importance of promoting traditional crafts to preserve cultural heritage and ensure that future generations have access to these essential aspects of their heritage.
BE OPEN Founder Elena Baturina stressed the importance of keeping handcraft traditions alive, as they provide a connection to history, culture, and individuality. She announced that the professional transportable looms used in the masterclasses would be gifted to the workshop authors to continue their creative work.
