15.02.2019

Art and Community Center – Artpolis organizes the promotion of arts and crafts through “MEETING AND GREETING” with the craftsmen, as part of the project “Promoting Cultural Diversity and Understanding through Art and Youth Inclusion” and is part of the financial grant of the project “Dialogue between Communities through the Conservation of Cultural Heritage “implemented by UNDP Kosovo and funded by the European Union Instrument for Stability and Peace – European Union’s Instrument for Stability and Peace (IcSP).

This call is devoted to young people aged 16 to 25 from 4 municipalities (Gjakova, North Mitrovica, Prishtina and Gjilan) who are passionate about art, crafts and handicrafts with the craftsmen of these abovementioned municipalities. In each city, during the day the participants will visit 3-4 craftsmen, women and men. The craftsmen to be visited belong to the following crafts: shoemaker, tailor, potter, instrument maker, windshield, photographers, jewelery / handicrafts.

After completing the visits to these craftsmen, the participants will share views on their visits and experiences by creating essays on their thoughts, experience and the impact of the “Meeting and Announcement” activity on:

– Teaching new things for different ethnicities;
– Recognition and familiarity with the process of producing crafts;
– Learning about the history of any particular process of craftsmanship;
– Raise awareness of the joint activities that women and men craftsmen use in the production process, thus creating a common ground for different ethnic groups.

The first visits took place on 15th of February 2019 in Prishtina, starting from Artpolis office, where Ms. Granita Grezda – Lila from “DHE by Granita” introduced the handmade clay works, while the watchmaker Mr. Faruk Panduklu, at his “Zenith” workshop explained the story of his 69 years’ experience and work, as well at the “AS” fashion house, tailors Mr. Afrim Sahiti and his son Mr. Eron Sahiti, presented their works, the changes advancement of this craft. During these visits the participants had the opportunity to discuss with the craftsmen/woman, which through their craftsmanship inspired the young boys/girls from municipality of Pristina, North Mitrovica, Gjakova and Gjilan to learn about the value and cultural diversity of Kosovo.