At Kirov Square the fourth handmade fair Irkutsk Arbat was held, bringing together 98 artisans and hundreds of guests. Visitors could see and buy a wide range of handmade items from clothing and jewelry to ceramics birch bark ware and traditional protective dolls. For children there were workshops and participants noted that the project has become a regular venue for communication creativity and self presentation
On August 9, the fourth handmade fair, “Irkutsk Arbat,” took place in Kirov Square.This project is organized by the Public Relations Department of the city administration together with the “Territory of Creativity” studio. The goal of “Irkutsk Arbat” is to popularize the creative activities of Irkutsk residents, draw the attention of city residents to craftwork, and create opportunities for creative self-realization. As part of the project, from May to September, once a month (every second Saturday), sales fairs featuring items made by the residents of Irkutsk are held in Kirov Square.
98 artisans took part in the August fair, and hundreds of Irkutsk residents and visitors to Irkutsk attended it. Visitors had the opportunity to purchase handmade clothing items and fabric accessories, traditional Russian protective dolls, birch bark and ceramic kitchenware, fabric and polymer clay flowers, items made using the origami technique, bead paintings, various jewelry, and many other products. During the fair, children could receive their first lessons in decorating gingerbread with icing, making clay dishes, painting with henna, and face painting. Participants in the Irkutsk fair note that the city now has a permanent venue where they can not only sell their products, but also talk about themselves and meet other artisans.
The next “Irkutsk Arbat” will take place on September 6 in Kirov Square from 12:00 to 18:00. For registration inquiries and more detailed information, please call +7(908)64-666-65 (Yulia Kulikova, project coordinator).
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk city administration.