International Craftsman Day

On March 19th, we pay tribute to an ancient manual trade that requires skill and creativity for the creation of unique and original artistic pieces. It is the International Craftsman Day. The celebration date of this international day coincides with Saint Joseph’s Day. Saint Joseph was a carpenter and craftsman by trade and for this reason, the date of March 19th has been chosen to honor all artisans. The main purpose of this commemoration is to exalt the talent, creativity, and imagination of artisans. Likewise, to promote the artisanal work of these manual artists.

Current situation of artisans

With the celebration of the International Craftsman Day it is intended to make visible the conditions and the current situation of the men and women artisans, among which are:

• Most countries do not have a legal framework to support artisans, referring to the regulation of artisanal production, intellectual property protection, patent registration, and formalization of this trade.
• Low income from the manual production of artisanal pieces.
• They do not have the required capacity to compete with large-scale production by local companies and artisanal industries.
• Scant transmission of knowledge of artisan traditions to new generations, to preserve this legacy.

Being a craftsman: an ancient trade

Being a craftsman is to create art, through the use of all the senses. A craftsman is that person dedicated to the manual elaboration of artisanal objects, applying ingenuity and originality for the creation of pieces and objects, with the support of tools.

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The elaboration of handicrafts is a process that is passed down from generation to generation, which requires the application and refinement of techniques with a certain skill and precision. Materials of various kinds are used, such as: wood, copper, clay, leather, rock, iron, ceramic, tin, and plant fibers. Among the pieces and objects handcrafted with an aesthetic and/or utilitarian value, the following stand out: clothing, containers, decorative objects, educational toys, furniture, jewelry, musical instruments, sculpture, and other belongings. These are intended for direct and informal sale, without intermediaries.

UNESCO Convention

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlighted in the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Paris in 2003, that traditional craftsmanship constitutes the most tangible manifestation of intangible cultural heritage. It emphasizes preserving this ancient craft, which is of great relevance in the history of humanity, by transmitting the techniques and knowledge used in artisanal activities to new generations.

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How is this international day celebrated?

In celebration of the International Craftsman’s Day, fairs, exhibitions, craft workshops, the sale of handicrafts, and discussions are held. Find out in your locality about the activities and events planned to commemorate this event. Support local artisans and share useful and interesting information about the International Artisan Day, on social media.