On April 11-12, 2012 Petrozavodsk hosted an international seminar on designing new products based on cultural heritage of Karelia. It was opened by the Minister of Culture of Karelia Elena Bogdanova. Dmitry Bazegsky, the head of the ENPI CBC Karelia office in Petrozavodsk also gave his welcoming speech to over 60 participants. Among them were local practicing craftspeople, representative of creative businesses, the Administration of Petrozavodsk, local and Finnish designers. During the two intensive days a new assortment of craft and souvenir products was drafted under the themes Wood, Stone, Ceramics and Glass, Gifts, Textile, and Historic Petrozavodsk together with potential producers of souvenirs and experts. A separate agreement was signed with each designer from Finland on technological design of a specific number of new products or re-design of existing products. The first designs of new craft and souvenir products will be ready in May 2012.

More information: http://crafts.karelia.ru/incubator