Europe’s living treasures

From 2,000 in 2014, this year some 5,000 people are expected to sign up to visit the 42 studios spread throughout the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland, that are opening to the public as part of European Artistic Craft Days. This three-day event is expected to draw around 1.5 million people in 19 countries, all eager to (re)discover activities that are very much a part of their national tradition. “We think we know everything there is to know about artist crafts, yet one look at the programme reveals professions that are virtually unknown to the public, such as puppet carver or skateboard manufacturer,” declared Anne-Catherine Lyon, head of the department of training, youth and culture for the Canton of Vaud, at a press conference. “This proves that traditions which are part of immaterial heritage are very much alive in our region.”

The public marvel at these craftsmen and women, whose background and experience is often as remarkable as the skills they deploy, yet paradoxically certain of these professions are struggling to survive. Many fear they are a dying breed, particularly as training opportunities are limited, not to say inexistent in certain fields. Which is why European Artistic Craft Days were invented. “They are a chance to discover these skills, but there is more to them than that,” notes Pascal Broulis who heads the Canton of Vaud finance department. “These craftsmen and women excel in their respective fields, yet they are out of the public eye. By opening up their studio, there’s every chance they will spark interest in what could be someone’s future career. They also put themselves in the spotlight, which benefits the artistic crafts as a whole. For a region to continue to move forward, it’s important that it has a diverse economic fabric.”

A social phenomenon

Message received, if the way the event has developed is anything to go by. When it was first launched, in France in 2002, it was held every two years. A decade later, this now annual event had spread to first nine, then 14 and now 19 European countries, including Switzerland where it has similarly grown. The first “Days” were held in the City of Geneva, with the unconditional support of watchmaker Vacheron Constantin, followed by the Cantons of Vaud, then Jura and Geneva, and since last year Neuchâtel. Together, they are proposing 136 “themes” in collaboration with various training centres. With so much on offer, the organisers expect to exceed the 15,000 visitors who took part in 2016.

Thierry Hogan is coordinator of the Days for the Canton of Vaud. He willing calls the event a social phenomenon. “It brings us back to the notion of a regional identity, preserved in these activities,” he says. “We need these trades, and for that reason the Days are a good thing.” Indeed, progress is being made towards the introduction of formal training in roof shingling and automata manufacturing. As is often the case, it all comes down to people. Sainte-Croix, a town already renowned as a centre for watchmaking in the eighteenth century, and equally well-known for its musical boxes, is home to François Junod’s workshop. This automaton-maker is behind such remarkable creations as the Fée Ondine for Van Cleef & Arpels, unveiled earlier this year, and Hippologia for Parmigiani, presented last year. Looking beyond Europe, Japan considers its craftsmen and women to be “national living treasures” – an honour they deserve.

*European Artistic Craft Days (Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art)
Friday March 31st, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April, 2017