ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days 2024

34^th edition of the the largest urban festival of traditional Slovak crafts is coming!

The Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) has a mission to safeguard and develop traditional crafts and home-made production in Slovakia. Both in the past and today, it focuses mainly on looking for, mapping out and protecting crafts that are dying out; it then develops them by means of various activities, connecting the information and skills of the best producers with the knowledge of ethnologists and the vision of designers. One of the important activities is the presentation of traditional crafts to the general public. Since 1990, ÚĽUV has been organizing the popular event The ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days.

During the weekend of 31^st August and 1^st September 2024, masters of folk art production will fill the heart of Bratislava’s Old Town, where they will showcase their skills and craftsmanship.

The central theme of the festival are plant fibres, linen, hemp and nettle, which are also the focus of ÚĽUV´s activities this year. Visitors can look forward to experiencing the products of more than a hundred craftsmen from all over Slovakia bringing a variety of traditional folk arts – blacksmithing, tinkering, wood carving, wood splitting, pottery, embroidery, leatherwork, basketry, lace making, lace bobbin weaving, weaving on looms, decorating easter eggs, painting on glass, making musical instruments and many more. Explorers of the zone dedicated to plant fibres will be introduced to traditional processing of linen, hemp and nettle, demonstrations of loom weaving and crocheting.

An essential part of the festival will be the ÚĽUV´s School of Crafts with creative workshops, craft quizzes and games for children. The atmosphere of the event will be enriched by vibrant cultural programme consisting of both music and dance performances. Food enthusiasts will enjoy traditional Slovak cuisine zone.