ALA Craft International Crafts Festival
4-5 October 2025, Almaty Kazakhstan.
This inaugural festival in Almaty was a true delight. It brought together a number of organisations to produce a wonderful show. Members of the Union of Artisans of Kazakhstan lead by the amazing Aizhan Bekkulova showed exactly how talented they are with exceptional jewellery, musical instruments felt, embroidery, fashion and ceramics on show.
The festival invited artisans from a further 12 countries, to join Almaty’s master. Visitors were not only able to see the work of craft masters but to speak with them and gain a small idea of their skills. So many of the masters are experimenting with their materials and ideas; innovating and changing with the times and the needs. In addition to the festival a fashion event featuring designers from Russia and Uzbekistan joining those from Kazakhstan.
Another highlight of the visit to Almaty was the exceptional exhibition of craft at the National Museum. This exhibition allowed us to see the true scope of imagination and skill of the Kazakh makers.
Images L-R: Fashion by Aizhan Bekkulova; Asif Shaikh with Alisha Shlakhmetova and their new felt hats; Quraq brand wooden painted jewellery; Aida Kuantaeva finely felted dolls