Located in the Arkhangelsk region of northern Russia Federation, crafts and folk art is the most important sector of Kargopol economy. Boasting over 100 craftsmen whose artisan workshops have been in the family for generations, the city specializes in wood and tree bark carving and textile embroidery. However, it has also achieved worldwide recognition for clay-fired colored figurines, called Kargopol toys.

 

Cultural events and sites bring to the city about 30,000 visitors a year. The International Celebration of Russia folk craftsmen has been held in Kargopol since 1991 and attracts hundreds of artists, experts in traditional crafts from various parts of Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, among others. The highlight of the Kargopolian calendar is the Crystal Bells festival. This unique event in Russia takes place around orthodox Epiphany and invites ice sculptors and musicians from Norway and Germany to promote their talents and crafts. The international research conference, Kargopol Readings, organized by the Kargopol State Museum, has also been a predominant annual event since 1996, attracting participants from cities of neighboring countries.

 

In support of local traditional crafts and folk art, ‘Designing the Future of Small Lands’ is a cross-field project, which proposes creating a Kargopol Resource Center. The Kargopol Association of Public Organizations, in conjunction with the Foundation of Presidential Grants of the Russian Federation and the local municipality together fund this initiative, with the hope of encouraging participation of citizens and small enterprises related to the fields of culture, and arts and crafts in developing long-term sustainable development projects.