Bat Trang Pottery Village assessed for membership in global creative cities network

12:31 PM, Thu October 24, 2024

The International Jury and the World Crafts Council on October 21 and 22 conducted a survey and assessment to evaluate Bat Trang Pottery Village (Gia Lam District, Hanoi) for potential recognition as a member of the Global Network of Creative Cities in crafts and folk art.

During their working visit, the delegation met with local leaders, toured the ancient village and historical houses, and engaged with local artisans and skilled ceramic craftsmen. They also visited the ceramic street, exhibition rooms, and Bat Trang Museum, and met with small and medium-sized businesses, as well as international cooperation projects currently active in the area.

Bat Trang Pottery Village assessed for membership in global creative cities network- Ảnh 1.

The delegates visit Bat Trang Pottery Village.

Nguyen Dinh Hoa, Deputy Director of Hanoi's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized that Bat Trang symbolizes Hanoi's commitment to preserving and developing its traditional craft villages. With 1,350 craft villages—accounting for 56% of the nation's total and representing 47 out of 52 traditional crafts—Hanoi has a strong foundation for advancing cultural industries in today’s era.

Following on-site surveys and practical experiences, the International Jury highly praised Bat Trang's unique cultural, historical, economic, and social contributions. They affirmed that Bat Trang not only meets all the criteria of a traditional craft village but also fully deserves recognition as a member of the Global Network of Creative Cities in the crafts and folk art category.

Aziz Murtazaev, President of the World Crafts Council for the Asia-Pacific Region, expressed his admiration for Bat Trang's beauty and value, pledging to promote its artisanal products and talented craftsmen worldwide to spread traditional cultural values.

In addition to Bat Trang, the International Jury and the World Crafts Council are also surveying other craft villages, such as Van Phuc (Ha Dong), Chuong conical hat village (Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh Oai District), Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan village (Phu Nghia Commune, Chuong My District), and Son Dong wood carving village (Son Dong Commune, Hoai Duc District).

Bat Trang Pottery Village assessed for membership in global creative cities network- Ảnh 2. International jury members from the World Crafts Council observe ceramic products from Bat Trang Pottery Village.

Hoa said that Hanoi is home to 1,350 craft villages, accounting for 56% of the country's total, encompassing 47 of Vietnam's 52 traditional crafts. The city has officially recognized 334 craft villages, traditional crafts, and traditional craft villages spread across 25 districts and towns, including 269 craft villages, 60 traditional craft villages, and five officially recognized traditional crafts.

The craft villages make a significant contribution to the city's economy, with total estimated revenues exceeding approximately US$1 billion. Several villages generate high revenues, such as Son Dong Wood Carving Village with over US$41.7 million, La Phu Confectionery and Textiles Village with more than $54.2 million, Minh Khai food processing village with over $41.7 million, and Phung Xa agricultural machinery village reaching $50.4 million. Additionally, the traditional arts and crafts village of Thiet Ung and Huu Bang woodworking village both approach $41.7 million in revenue, while the two leather shoe villages of Gie Thuong and Gie Ha in Phu Yen generate between $20.8 million and $29.2 million.

The products from these villages are diverse, featuring beautiful designs and high quality, with many being competitive in both domestic and international markets. The craft villages have actively contributed to rural economic restructuring, providing a foundation for successfully implementing the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program and advancing the construction of new rural areas across the city.

Ngoc Mai