After successful first edition of Central-Asian European Creative Forum, which took place in Brussels in September 2024, where I invited 12 designers from Central-Asia to come and present their work to the European public, now I am ready for a new challenge: to organize our first Central-Asian Winter Bazaar, where we will showcase, besides antique and vintage textiles from Central-Asia, also contemporary creations from felt!
I would like my colleagues and friends to get together and light up the upcoming Happy Holidays Season 2024-2025 at our first Central-Asian Winter Bazaar, which will take place from the 23d of December until the 19th of January at the welcoming premises of Espace Intermédiaire gallery at Sablon!
© photo Yelena21
Come over and discover different nomadic traditions of craftsmen from Central-Asia!
Find presents from pillows with Uzbek adras and ikat to felt accessories and clothes from Mongolia, recycled wool blanket coats from Kazakhstan, taste Kyrgyz baursaki, learn about our textiles tour to Tajikistan, discover Turkmen embroidery as “cultural codes”!
Wonder about Orthodox Christmas customs and Iconic Old New Year celebration’s tips and tricks! Come and taste our special Central-Asian glue-wine with delights!
© photo Yelena21
I am collaborating with two colleagues: one is a founder of “Shirdak Silk Road Textiles”-Marianne Tuerlings, who is giving me on loan old suzani, other vintage pieces of textiles.
The other one is Catherine Nyssen, who is making beatiful cushions and bags, by using old adras and ikat,, as well as leftovers from some European textiles and colorful fringes. She keeps repeating: everything she does is made in Belgium, hence the name of her brand: CN Hand-made in Belgium!
I have invited a Jewellery designer (with her brand Kamila Florentine) from Kazakhstan, who lives and works in Paris with her traditional minimalistic pieces from silver.
Oxana Yan, also from Kazakhstan and living in Brussels will tell her fascinating story of her sustainable brand and various stores. She will bring a small collection of blankets, which she had turned into warm coats! This group of ladies from Kazakhstan will be accompanied by a young dombra and kobyz player: Aiday Makhatova, who is a student.
On the 28th of December we will have a presentative from The Embassy of Mongolia, who will explain about felt and cashmere in his motherland, featuring two designers, one of whom makes creative colorful coats. Tsoom Tsoom and Bajuna are our partners!
Anna Ivakhnenko is looking forward to talk about her collection, which is made from cotton and draw parallels with Orthodox Christmas traditions, icons included! Anna’s workshop is planned for the 7th of January!
Jointly with colleagues from the Embassy of Tajikistan in Brussels we will give a short presentation about our textile tour next year!
On the 19th of January we have a special guest from Turkmenistan: Shekera Akiniyazova, who is a director of her own Art Studio KESHDE, which is based in Ashgabat. Shekera is a known specialist in the field of Turkmen jewellery, tapestry and textiles! She will come to Brussels to participate in an art exhibition during CIVILASATIONS and BRAFA Art Fairs, so she will tell us more about Turkmen embroidery and why we can crack “cultural codes” with it, also how to read the ancient culture of her native motherland! She will bring examples of antique and vintage pieces for us to wonder, enjoy (and buy)!
Come and participate in our colorful tombola! Decorate our Christmas Tree and degustate our spiced gluhwine! The winners will get Central-Asian surprise prizes!
Our event is much more than just a market, it’s a celebration of our Central-Asian stories, talents, traditions! It’s what put us together!
Our 5 soirées are by invitations only! The organizers reserve the right of admission!
Espace Intermédiaire will be opened for you between 14:00 and 18:00 by appointments!
Looking forward to meeting you soon!
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