CRAFTING HUMAN CREATIVITY FOR A PEACEFUL WORLD
A global dialogue on creativity, humour and human skills
and how they shape peaceful and resilient cities
in the age of AI and a fragile world
PROGRAMME
September 16 – Arrival of delegates
September 17 – DAY 1 | OFFICIAL OPENING, Venue: P3 Building, 5 Danube Str.,
| 09:20 – 10:00 On Site Registration of Participants |
| 10:00 Official Opening Ceremony Welcome speech by Ms. Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo Opening remarks by the Cluster Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Alshubaith Welcome message by the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria Welcome message by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria |
| 10:20 Video message by Ms. Denise Bax, Secretary of the UCCN |
| 10:30 Recognition of the former Cluster Coordinator prof. Byung Hoon Jeong |
| 11:00 – 12:30 Mayors’ Forum |
| Theme: Culture and Creativity for Peaceful and Resilient Cities |
| A moderated dialogue among mayors and city representatives on cultural resilience, human creativity and the role of crafts and humour in contemporary urban life |
| Official group photo with all participants |
12:30–14:00 | Lunch
| 14:00 – 17:00 Business Meeting I |
| 14:00 – 14:30 Presenting Gabrovo as part of the Subnetwork and host |
| 14:30 – 15:30 Introduction of the new regional coordinators and presentation of the newly admitted member cities |
| 15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break |
| 16:00 – 16:30 Coordinator’s report by Dr. Ibrahim Alshubaith and wrap up of Day 1 |
| Free time |
19:00 | Welcome dinner, Gourmet restaurant
September 18 – DAY 2 | BUSINESS & ACADEMIC SESSIONS, Venue: P3 Building, 5 Danube Str.,
| 09:30 – 10:00 Arriving at the venue |
| Available all day, a Craft Zone will showcase unique items and handmade crafts from our participating artisans and featured local artists |
| 10:00 – 11:00 Open Dialogue Forum on the concept of the “Third Space” – a Meeting Place for Institutions and Bearers of Intangible Cultural Heritage Keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Svetla Dimitrova, Director of the Regional Ethnographic Open Air Museum Etar and President of ICOM Bulgaria Keynote speech by Ms. Mirena Staneva, Regional Center for Safequarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of UNESCO |
| 11:00 – 11:20 PROMPT PLACE Design Competition for public space – shared practice by Assoc. Prof. Witiya Pittungnapoo, Ph.D. Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design, Naresuan University /Deputy Coordinator of UCCN for Crafts and Folk Art/ |
| 11:20 – 12:00 Coffee break and visiting the Craft zone |
| 12:00 – 13:00 Academic Session |
| CREATIVITY FOR PEACE: Reframing Global Challenges Through Local Practices –presentations by cities under war/crisis followed by a moderated discussion by the Cluster coordinator Dr. Ibrahim Alshubaith |
13:00–15:00 | Lunch Break & Hands-on Crafting
Optional session to create crafts alongside the artists
| 15:00 – 16:30 Business Meeting II – Discussion on the role of the Scientific Committee – Discussion of ongoing collaborations and current issues – Presentation of projects with potential for collaboration /Presentations by Giuseppe Biagini, founder of The Creative Knowledge Foundation, Poppy Jarratt from Perth and Yoko Kawa from Kanazawa/ – Planning of the next meeting in 2027/call for nominations – Wrap up of Day 2 |
| Free time |
19:00–21:00 | Dinner at Etar Hotel restaurant and evening tour of the Museum
September 19 – DAY 3 | CULTURAL PROGRAM
| 09:30 Visit to the Museum of Humour and Satire, Guided tour |
| 11:00 Arriving at the Regional Ethnographic Open Air Museum Etar Official welcome and sightseeing tour divided by groups |
| 12:30 Lunch at the traditional restaurant of the Museum |
| 14:00 – 16:30 Experiencing crafts and arts and participation in creative workshops Creating a common art installation |
| Free time |