The “Hunarmand” Association has been named a grant recipient under the ALIPH–EU Central Asia Call for Projects for the implementation of the “Ikat Connection” initiative. The project has been awarded USD 40,000 in funding.
This grant creates significant opportunities to achieve the project’s core objectives.
Revival of traditional ikat crafts in Central Asia:
- Preservation of ikat weaving traditions through sustainable methods.
- Support for cultural heritage institutions and their collections;
- Safeguarding and intergenerational transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) practices.
In Uzbekistan
- Ikat production has largely been preserved within family dynasties, transmitted from generation to generation;
- The Margilan Museum and the State Museum of Ethnography in Tashkent hold examples of ancient and historical ikat.
- The non-governmental organization “Margilan Crafts Development Center” is engaged in the reconstruction and research of historical and contemporary ikat samples.
In Tajikistan
- Ikat production has nearly disappeared, with only a limited number of small groups and micro-enterprises remaining active;
- Museums in Dushanbe, Khujand, and Panjakent preserve historical examples;
- Private collections safeguard a substantial part of the traditional ikat heritage.
At the International Level
- Museums have incorporated chapans, textile samples, household items, and publications related to ikat into their collections;
- The project will contribute to promoting traditional ikat not only locally, but also on the global stage.
Why This Matters
The “Ikat Connection” project is designed not only to preserve historical heritage but also to integrate it into contemporary economic and creative processes. It represents a meaningful step forward for the development of traditional craftsmanship in Central Asia.
We call on everyone to support and further develop traditional crafts!