Ambacht in Beeld Festival
From diamond cutting to copper beating, and from kimchi to batik, with over 100 master craftsmen, workshops, masterclasses, exhibitions, demonstrations, films, and performances, the festival offers a unique opportunity to discover crafts, try them out, and learn new skills.
A selection of the workshops and masterclasses includes: getting acquainted with the old photographic cyanotype technique and creating a series of botanical blueprints with plants; cutting your own diamond in an exclusive one-on-one masterclass under the guidance of a master cutter; learning the basic steps of the stained glass craft: cutting glass, setting lead, and soldering. Or experiment with batik, an ancient art form that decorates textiles.
There are things to do and learn for all ages. Especially in this digital age, it is important for young people to come into contact with handcraft. During the festival, children can learn blacksmithing, weaving, woodworking, and much more.
Moroccan, Flemish, and Endangered Crafts
In collaboration with the Centraal Museum Utrecht, this year we are highlighting crafts from Morocco. During the festival, we showcase the versatility of fashion creatives from Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora. For instance, the premiere of a documentary about a workshop in Fez, one of only three in the world where gold brocade is still hand-woven, and students from the embroidery school in Salé will be giving workshops.
In March 2024, we also organized an Ambacht in Beeld Festival in Brussels for the first time. During the festival in Amsterdam, we present a selection of Flemish craftsmen, including straw marquetry master Arlette Damiaens and theater puppet maker Marc Beuten, who will be giving workshops. By presenting these craftsmen in the Netherlands, we ensure international exchange and contribute to a strong international crafts sector.
Craft knowledge is disappearing rapidly, training programs face a shortage of students, and aging is leading to a decline in knowledge. Therefore, this edition also focuses on endangered crafts such as chiseling, hand engraving, fan making, and the old Venetian beaded flowers craft.
Many Free Activities for Young and Old
With a ticket to the Ambacht in Beeld Festival, there is plenty to see and do for free. Weave on a giant loom, learn paper cutting, or make your own paper. There are exhibitions, musical performances, and a cinema where beautiful documentaries about craftsmanship are shown continuously.
New this year: during the festival, several high-level demonstrations can be admired. Watch live as a mill builder restores a sail and a sculptor carves a statue from a large piece of marble.
For a tasty snack in between, there is a vegan food court and a materials market with wool, paper, art supplies, and special wood.
