A catalog and a film about the folk artists of two countries were made in Transcarpathia

In Uzhgorod Press Club, there was the presentation of a catalog and a video film about folk artists and craftsmen of Transcarpathia and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg region developed under the project "Promotion of national crafts and local artists in the Carpathian Euroregion" HUSKROUA/1101/163.

Yosyp Torpoi, the compiler of the book, the Director of the Ukrainian-Hungarian Regional Development Center said that the project "Promotion of craft and folk art and local craftsmen in the Carpathian Euroregion" had been launched in the summer of last year and was lasting for a year.  The publication, which was produced under the project and presented at the press club, features the works by the artists of the region, biographical information, contact information, and through photos demonstrates their various authentic creative achievements. 

The Catalog contains information in Ukrainian, Hungarian and English languages ​​about more than 140 artists and craftsmen engaged in a variety of crafts from beading up to the leather industry.All districts of Transcarpathia are represented there. There is less information about the artists from Hungary – there are only 25 of them. Also, the book contains information about creative centers and associations where children are taught and master classes are conducted.

As for the video, 15 films in different languages ​​on different master craftsmen have been made under the project.  

Hanus Arpad, the chairman of the Association of Rural Tourism of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg region (Hungary) said that products made by craftsmen are very important for the development of tourism in the region. "If a tourist visits a place, they want to take something as a souvenir from the region, they look for a product that would be original – Arpad Hanus says. – We try to find people who can make such souvenirs, products that represent the region. This is our history, our traditions, no country has a future unless it keeps the traditions."

Lyudmyla Hubal, the head of the Transcarpathian branch of the National Union of Folk Art Masters of Ukraine noted that the catalog of folk artists is aimed at sales of the products made by masters. "In Transcarpathia, there are 63 schools of art, College of Arts and Art Institute, which provide the basis for creativity, young people have the opportunity to learn. But here is where it all stops – Lyudmyla Hubal says. – In Hungary, there are more centers that assist masters."  According to the head of the branch, the Catalog contains information about professionals and those people for whom art is a hobby.  

The published Catalog can be found in Uzhgorod and Beregovo tourinfocenters

The project is implemented under the ENPI CBC Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine 2007-2013 and co-financed by the European Union through the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.