International Festival of Craft & Creative Industries 2026 in Taraz
From 23 to 25 September 2026, the historic city of Taraz, Kazakhstan, became an international meeting point for artisans, designers and professionals from across the craft and creative industries. The festival brought together participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Belarus, China, Georgia, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Held under the theme “From Heritage to a Creative Future,” the festival explored how traditional knowledge, craft techniques and cultural heritage can inspire contemporary design, shape innovative products and create new opportunities for economic development.
The programme featured the international exhibition “One Eurasia — Many Languages of Craft,” practical workshops on felt-making, India’s traditional AJRAKH natural-dyeing technique and the use of contemporary materials. Professional discussions and networking activities also fostered dialogue across craft, design and fashion.
A key highlight of the festival was the International Forum, “Craft, Design and Creative Industries: From Cultural Heritage to the Contemporary Economy.” The forum brought together international experts and practitioners to discuss the safeguarding of living heritage, the transmission of traditional knowledge to younger generations, collaboration between artisans and designers, the development of contemporary products rooted in craft traditions, and access to international markets.
An important outcome of this professional dialogue was the Taraz Declaration on the Development of Craft, Design and Creative Industries, which outlines shared priorities for safeguarding cultural heritage, strengthening professional networks and promoting future collaborative initiatives.
The festival was organised by the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD), with QAZAQ CREATIVE, Zhambyl Creative and ASPARA FASHION WEEK as partners.
Dulaty University played a significant role as co-organiser of the festival and became an institutional partner of ECCD. This partnership provides a foundation for continued cooperation in education, cultural heritage preservation, craft development, design and the broader creative industries.
The festival reaffirmed that craft is more than a means of preserving cultural memory. It is a living resource for contemporary design, entrepreneurship, international exchange and the development of the creative economy.
Taraz — connecting living heritage with new international opportunities.
Held under the theme “From Heritage to a Creative Future,” the festival explored how traditional knowledge, craft techniques and cultural heritage can inspire contemporary design, shape innovative products and create new opportunities for economic development.
The programme featured the international exhibition “One Eurasia — Many Languages of Craft,” practical workshops on felt-making, India’s traditional AJRAKH natural-dyeing technique and the use of contemporary materials. Professional discussions and networking activities also fostered dialogue across craft, design and fashion.
A key highlight of the festival was the International Forum, “Craft, Design and Creative Industries: From Cultural Heritage to the Contemporary Economy.” The forum brought together international experts and practitioners to discuss the safeguarding of living heritage, the transmission of traditional knowledge to younger generations, collaboration between artisans and designers, the development of contemporary products rooted in craft traditions, and access to international markets.
An important outcome of this professional dialogue was the Taraz Declaration on the Development of Craft, Design and Creative Industries, which outlines shared priorities for safeguarding cultural heritage, strengthening professional networks and promoting future collaborative initiatives.
The festival was organised by the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD), with QAZAQ CREATIVE, Zhambyl Creative and ASPARA FASHION WEEK as partners.
Dulaty University played a significant role as co-organiser of the festival and became an institutional partner of ECCD. This partnership provides a foundation for continued cooperation in education, cultural heritage preservation, craft development, design and the broader creative industries.
The festival reaffirmed that craft is more than a means of preserving cultural memory. It is a living resource for contemporary design, entrepreneurship, international exchange and the development of the creative economy.
Taraz — connecting living heritage with new international opportunities.
23–25 September 2026 | Taraz, Kazakhstan
From 23 to 25 September 2026, Taraz hosted the XVIII edition of ASPARA FASHION WEEK, an international platform bringing together contemporary fashion, design, cultural heritage and professional exchange.
For the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD), ASPARA FASHION WEEK offered a compelling example of how traditional knowledge, education and contemporary creative practice can come together to generate new forms of cultural and professional exchange.
From Heritage to the Future
The conceptual framework of the XVIII edition was:
HERITAGE → CRAFT → DESIGN → FASHION → FUTURE
This reflects a principle central to ECCD: heritage should not be viewed solely as something to preserve. It can also serve as a living source of creativity, education, innovation and sustainable creative development.
Across three days, the programme featured 32 fashion presentations and creative projects, bringing together established designers, international participants, emerging talent and special projects. An International Dialogue Through Fashion
The opening programme featured ASPARA × AJRAKH, a collaboration connecting the Kazakh fashion platform with the centuries-old textile tradition of Ajrakh from India. The following two days brought designers and creative practitioners from Kazakhstan, China, India, Italy, Georgia, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Altai to Taraz. The result was more than a series of runway presentations. ASPARA FASHION WEEK created a setting for professional exchange, cultural dialogue and new connections between different creative traditions.
Supporting Education and Emerging Talent
The first day included nine student collections from ASPARA College of Fashion and Business. Supporting education and emerging designers is an important part of ECCD’s vision for a stronger craft and design ecosystem. Giving young creators a place within a professional international programme allows them to connect their education with practice and take their first steps into the wider creative sector.
Works by master’s students in Design were also included in the programme as part of this commitment to supporting emerging creative professionals. KIMESHEK — THE CODE
One of the defining cultural projects of the season was KIMESHEK — THE CODE.
The project approaches the Kazakh kimeshek not simply as an element of traditional dress, but as a cultural code associated with female identity, dignity, age, social status, motherhood and the continuity of generations.
Contemporary materials, techniques and silhouettes were used to explore how this traditional form can be reinterpreted for contemporary fashion while retaining its cultural meaning.
FORM MAY CHANGE.
MEANING REMAINS.
This approach closely resonates with ECCD’s concept of Living Craft & Design Territories — places where traditional knowledge remains relevant by engaging with contemporary society, creative practice and new forms of expression.
Taraz: A Meeting Point of Cultures
With its long history along the Silk Road, Taraz has for centuries been a place of exchange between cultures, crafts, ideas and trade.
From 23 to 25 September 2026, Taraz hosted the XVIII edition of ASPARA FASHION WEEK, an international platform bringing together contemporary fashion, design, cultural heritage and professional exchange.
For the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD), ASPARA FASHION WEEK offered a compelling example of how traditional knowledge, education and contemporary creative practice can come together to generate new forms of cultural and professional exchange.
From Heritage to the Future
The conceptual framework of the XVIII edition was:
HERITAGE → CRAFT → DESIGN → FASHION → FUTURE
This reflects a principle central to ECCD: heritage should not be viewed solely as something to preserve. It can also serve as a living source of creativity, education, innovation and sustainable creative development.
Across three days, the programme featured 32 fashion presentations and creative projects, bringing together established designers, international participants, emerging talent and special projects. An International Dialogue Through Fashion
The opening programme featured ASPARA × AJRAKH, a collaboration connecting the Kazakh fashion platform with the centuries-old textile tradition of Ajrakh from India. The following two days brought designers and creative practitioners from Kazakhstan, China, India, Italy, Georgia, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Altai to Taraz. The result was more than a series of runway presentations. ASPARA FASHION WEEK created a setting for professional exchange, cultural dialogue and new connections between different creative traditions.
Supporting Education and Emerging Talent
The first day included nine student collections from ASPARA College of Fashion and Business. Supporting education and emerging designers is an important part of ECCD’s vision for a stronger craft and design ecosystem. Giving young creators a place within a professional international programme allows them to connect their education with practice and take their first steps into the wider creative sector.
Works by master’s students in Design were also included in the programme as part of this commitment to supporting emerging creative professionals. KIMESHEK — THE CODE
One of the defining cultural projects of the season was KIMESHEK — THE CODE.
The project approaches the Kazakh kimeshek not simply as an element of traditional dress, but as a cultural code associated with female identity, dignity, age, social status, motherhood and the continuity of generations.
Contemporary materials, techniques and silhouettes were used to explore how this traditional form can be reinterpreted for contemporary fashion while retaining its cultural meaning.
FORM MAY CHANGE.
MEANING REMAINS.
This approach closely resonates with ECCD’s concept of Living Craft & Design Territories — places where traditional knowledge remains relevant by engaging with contemporary society, creative practice and new forms of expression.
Taraz: A Meeting Point of Cultures
With its long history along the Silk Road, Taraz has for centuries been a place of exchange between cultures, crafts, ideas and trade.
Today, the city continues this tradition of exchange through contemporary design and fashion.
ASPARA FASHION WEEK demonstrates how a city’s cultural heritage can become a foundation for contemporary creativity, creative enterprise and international collaboration.
ECCD and the Future of Creative Ecosystems
For ECCD, initiatives such as ASPARA FASHION WEEK are valuable because they bring together craft, design, education, fashion, heritage and international cooperation within one creative ecosystem.
The XVIII edition demonstrated how traditional knowledge can inspire new design practices, how emerging designers can gain access to professional platforms, and how international encounters can lead to further creative collaboration.
ECCD sees this kind of exchange as part of the development of a contemporary creative space across Eurasia — one in which heritage is not only preserved, but continues to evolve through education, design, creativity and international cooperation.
ASPARA FASHION WEEK XVIII
HERITAGE, CRAFT AND CONTEMPORARY FASHION
Lecce, Italy | 2–4 September 2026
The International Festival of Craft and Design in Lecce was organised by the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) in partnership with Mad Mood Fashion Week Milano, as part of Mediterranean Fashion Week 2026.
The festival brought together more than 40 artisans from Central Asia, Russia and Georgia, showcasing the richness of traditional craftsmanship, materials and artistic practices. A particular highlight was the presentation of Central Asian craft heritage in Italy through a unified international exhibition — an important step towards strengthening the region’s cultural presence in Europe.
The festival programme also included an ECCD Board Meeting, focused on the Council’s development, strengthening international partnerships and advancing future initiatives in craft, design and the creative industries.
Another significant moment was the engagement with Adriana Poli Bortone, Mayor of Lecce. As a gesture of appreciation, she was presented with a letter of gratitude and a bespoke silk-and-cotton outfit created by Aidarkhan Kaliyev, inspired by traditional Kazakh clothing. The gift symbolised cultural diplomacy and the growing dialogue between Kazakhstan and Italy.
The Next Chapter: Bari, June 2027
Building on the success of the Lecce festival, ECCD plans to hold the second International Festival of Craft and Design in Bari, Italy, during the first week of June 2027. The next edition aims to broaden the participation of countries and craft communities, strengthen professional networks and foster further cooperation between Eurasia and Europe.
The Lecce festival marked an important milestone in ECCD’s mission to connect artisans and designers, safeguard living cultural heritage and create new opportunities for traditional craftsmanship within today’s creative economy.
ECCD — preserving heritage, fostering international collaboration and shaping the future of craft and design.
ECCD: From Lecce to Bari — A New International Platform for Craft and Design
ECCD ShowcaseASPARA × AjrakhCross-Cultural Craft as a Professional PracticeThis project presents a collaborative craft initiative between the ASPARA brand (Kazakhstan) and Indian master artisans Jabbar and Mubin Khatri, working in the traditional Ajrakh hand block-printing technique.Ajrakh is not historically part of Kazakh craft traditions. Within this project, it is used not as an imitation or stylistic borrowing, but as a technological and methodological framework for cross-cultural collaboration.The scarves are composed with a clear structural logic:the central field features Kazakh petroglyphs, referencing the ancient visual language of the steppe;the borders employ Indian ornamental systems, providing rhythm, modularity, and spatial order characteristic of Ajrakh textiles.All pieces are produced using hand-carved wooden blocks, natural dyes, and a fully manual printing process. Authorship, origin, and craft lineage are explicitly acknowledged.This project demonstrates how traditional craft technologies can:travel across cultural and geographic contexts,be responsibly adapted without erasing their origins,generate contemporary design outcomes grounded in ethics, material knowledge, and professional collaboration.The ASPARA × Ajrakh scarves serve as an applied example of the core principles of the Eurasian Council for Craft and Design (ECCD):Craft × Design integrationCross-cultural dialogue based on respect and authorshipMaterial intelligence and process transparencyContemporary relevance of traditional techniquesThis showcase marks one of the first official applied cases presented within the ECCD platform, setting a reference point for future international craft and design collaborations.Why This Matters for ECCDFor ECCD, this project demonstrates that craft is not a static heritage category, but a professional system of transferable knowledge. Techniques such as Ajrakh can operate beyond their geographic origin when approached with ethical awareness, respect for authorship, and clear methodological intent. This positions craft as an active contributor to contemporary design ecosystems rather than a preserved artifact.The ASPARA × Ajrakh collaboration illustrates ECCD’s stance on cross-cultural practice: meaningful exchange occurs not through stylistic fusion, but through structural dialogue — where technologies, processes, and visual systems are consciously re-contextualized without erasing their origins. Such projects establish a shared professional language between regions while maintaining cultural integrity.Finally, this case underlines ECCD’s commitment to applied outcomes. It moves beyond theory and representation, offering a tangible model for how international craft collaboration can function in real production, design authorship, and market-facing contexts. As such, it serves as a benchmark for future ECCD-supported initiatives across Eurasia and beyond.
On April 22, 2026, the first Management Board Meeting of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) was held in Taraz, Kazakhstan.The meeting marked an important step in the institutional development of ECCD, establishing a foundation for its governance structure, program activities, and international cooperation.
The meeting was attended by the founding members of ECCD, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the initial stage of the Council’s development.During the session, members of the Management Board were introduced, and their roles across different regions were outlined, reflecting the international scope of the Council.Key agenda items included:— adoption of the meeting agenda— acceptance of new members and expansion of the ECCD network— establishment of the Management Board structure— initiation of committee work in key areas of activityParticular attention was given to strategic priorities, including:— educational initiatives focused on craft branding and access to international markets— the development of a recognition framework for contributions to craft heritageOperational matters were also addressed, including the approval of the official ECCD stamp and initial financial structuring.“ECCD is being formed not as a formal structure, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEKThe meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a sustainable international platform connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.