The announcement of the 2006 UNESCO SEAL of Excellence for Handicrafts took place in Almaty on 2 December at a ceremony organized by the Center of Decorative and Applied Arts “Bakhyt” and the Central Asian Crafts Support Association (CACSA), at the Republican Children's Palace.
SEAL of Excellence for handicraft products enhances the international awareness of the crafts of Central Asia. At the same time, it serves as a quality control mechanism and as a marketing tool for progress in the global craft market of traditional and innovative craft products from the given region. 28 craftsmen received the SEAL certificate in recognition of the outstanding quality of their product.
More than 120 products ranging from traditionally woven textiles to ceramics and silverware were submitted from 5 participating countries in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) for this year's programme.
An international panel of judges and experts in design, marketing and handicraft production gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in September to judge the submissions that are reviewed against six key criteria, incorporating excellence, innovation, authenticity, marketability, eco-friendliness and social responsibility.
Established to encourage craft-workers to use traditional skills and materials, the SEAL looks to ensure the continuation of traditional knowledge and the preservation of cultural diversity in the region. By recognizing such attributes in craftsmanship, the programme aims to set quality standards, raise international awareness and strengthen market demand for Asian handicraft products.
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