International Craftsman's Day

Every March 19, workshops around the world are celebrating. For a few moments, work utensils are left aside to give way to an emotional celebration, which does nothing more than make visible the hard artistic work they do. This is the International Craftsman's Day, which commemorates the workers who help represent the culture of each country through their pieces of art.

Rocks, mud, thread and wood are just some of the inputs used to turn inanimate objects into representations of culture, which do nothing more than keep alive the traditions and customs of each country. Regularly, these artists receive this gift from generation to generation, being the descendants of each family in charge of keeping this skill alive.

Handicrafts as a lifestyle

In Peru, there are locations where the life of its inhabitants revolves around handicrafts. For example, if we talk about handicrafts in Cusco it is impossible not to name the San Blas Neighborhood, which is known worldwide for being the home of the most famous artisans of this southern region of Peru. Its privileged location that is a few minutes from the city of Cusco makes it the favorite place for tourists who want to see how the handicrafts are created and also to take some souvenirs home.

Pisac is also in Cusco. This district, in addition to having in its territory the Archaeological Park of Pisac, has a colorful market that is known worldwide for its varied offer of pieces by artisans, where you can find looms, chullos, coats, backpacks, jewelry and silver accessories, among others, all handmade. This charming village is within the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Tourists in the textile market of Cusco.

Ayacucho region, considered the artisan capital of Peru by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), stands out for its richness in these works. The cities of Ayacucho and Huamanga concentrate artists who manage 16 of the 19 existing artisan lines, among which ceramics, textiles, silverware and, of course, the famous Ayacucho altarpieces stand out.

In the Peruvian Amazon there are also towns that are dedicated to the creation and trade of handicrafts. One of the most striking are the Awajún ceramics, which have as a particularity that these are made entirely by the women of their village. The Awajún people are located between the regions of Loreto, Amazonas, San Martín, Ucayali and Cajamarca.

So now you know: if you want to celebrate the International Craftsman's Day in a big way, visit Peru so you can access unique samples of the culture and idiosyncrasy of its native peoples.