World Artisans Congress(WAC)

Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — November 14, 2025
The 3rd Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan), hosted by the Heritage Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, opened on November 13 at Princess Nourah University in Riyadh. As part of the "2025 Year of Handicrafts," the event brought together exhibitors from over 40 countries, 400+ Saudi artisans, and 20 partner organizations, focusing on cultural heritage, business cooperation, and sustainable creative industries.
China participated as the guest of honor, showcasing over 1,000 exquisite craft pieces and live heritage performances. Zhao Pu, founder of WAC, was invited to attend. This event strengthens global collaboration among artisans and promotes Chinese craftsmanship worldwide.

Photo by Tianzi PAN

Cockpit Studios

Bloomsbury, London, the United Kingdom – October 6, 2025
WAC visited Cockpit Studios — an award-winning social enterprise and the UK’s only business incubator for craft businesses. With sites in Bloomsbury and Deptford, Cockpit is home to over 175 independent creative businesses working across more than 20 craft disciplines.
During the visit, both sides exchanged views on global exchange and the advancement of contemporary crafts, exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

Photo by Jamie Trounce

Photo by Amanda Urvall Nyren

Photo by James Winspear

Il·lacions Design Gallery

Barcelona, Spain — October 1, 2025
Il·lacions, a leading Barcelona design gallery founded in 2011, showcases contemporary Catalan design and craftsmanship, representing over 70 designers and makers.
During our visit, founder Mr. Xavier Franquesa shared the gallery’s unique “creator ecosystem” and the stories behind its designers. The exchange highlighted new opportunities for strengthening the global visibility of craft and design.

Photo by Meritxell Arjalaguer

Global Roadshow

Georgia — July 2024

WAC is dedicated to facilitating global exchanges in the field of craftsmanship amidst the rapid development of advanced technologies. The aim is to rediscover and harness the value and unique charm of handcrafts.

In July 2024, the WAC team, led by founder Mr. Zhao Pu, embarked on a global roadshow. The first stop was Georgia, chosen for its rich historical significance. Georgia is widely recognized as the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence supporting this claim. Even today, the country continues to use traditional clay pots in winemaking, with many steps still carried out by hand. Additionally, pottery is one of the earliest forms of human-made artifacts, further enriching the cultural connection to the region's artisanal heritage.

Updates

Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan)

Cockpit Studios

Il·lacions Design Gallery

Global Roadshow