Gabrovo Became a Global Stage for Creativity and Cultural Resilience under UNESCO

From 16 to 20 September 2026, Gabrovo hosted one of the most significant international events in the calendar of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network – the Annual Meeting of the Crafts & Folk Art Subnetwork. The forum, organized by the Municipality of Gabrovo and “Etar” museum, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and the UNESCO Regional Centre for South-Eastern Europe, brought together representatives of the global creative community and positioned Gabrovo at the heart of an international dialogue on culture, creativity and peace.

The meeting was held under the theme “Crafting Human Creativity for a Peaceful World”, highlighting the role of human skills, cultural practices, humour and creative industries in building resilient and peaceful communities in the context of technological change and global challenges. The official opening on 17 September began with a welcome address by the Mayor of Gabrovo, Tanya Hristova, followed by opening remarks from the Cluster Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Alshubaith, welcome messages from the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Culture, a video address by UCCN Secretary Denise Bax, and a keynote lecture by Prof. Byung Hoon Jeong, former coordinator of the subnetwork. The opening emphasized the importance of international cooperation and Bulgaria’s active role within the global creative network.

A central highlight of the programme was the Mayors’ Forum “Culture and Creativity for Peaceful and Resilient Cities”, moderated by Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo. Representatives from different regions shared experiences and good practices demonstrating how culture, traditions, humour and human skills support communities in times of crisis and contribute to social resilience. The discussions outlined the connection between traditional crafts and new technologies, including the role of artificial intelligence in preserving and transmitting human skills.

The business meetings presented the new regional coordinators, the coordinator’s report, ongoing initiatives and projects with potential for international collaboration, as well as topics related to the role of the Scientific Committee. The academic panels featured keynote lectures by Prof. Dr. Svetla Dimitrova and Ms. Mirena Staneva, along with the session “Creativity for Peace”, in which cities affected by war or crisis presented their approaches to using culture as a tool for resilience and recovery. Throughout the second day, participants had the opportunity to explore the specially curated Craft Zone, meet local artisans, observe demonstrations and take part in creative workshops.

Delegates visited the Museum of Humour and Satire, where they learned about Gabrovo’s unique cultural identity, and were officially welcomed at the Open Air Museum “Etar”, where they participated in creative ateliers culminating in a collective art installation.

The Annual Meeting in Gabrovo was recognized by participants as one of the strongest editions of the subnetwork, thanks to its high institutional level, professional organization, rich cultural programme, active involvement of international partners and strong engagement of the local community. The event reaffirmed Gabrovo as an active and distinguished member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and contributed to the city’s international profile in the context of its candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2032.

The Municipality of Gabrovo extends its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism for its financial and institutional support, to the Ministry of Culture for its partnership and cooperation, to the UNESCO Regional Centre for South-Eastern Europe for its expert engagement, to the Open Air Museum “Etar” for its essential role in the programme and hosting, and to all international delegates, partners and participants who contributed to the successful realization of the event.