Montecristi
About the Creative City:
Montecristi is world-famous for its production of hand-woven toquilla straw hats, which are sold in over 60 countries and whose manufacturing process was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. To date, the Creative City counts 1,200 representatives of this cross-generational art form. It plays a key role in the city's economic development, generating 30% of all jobs in the urban area.
With the support of its partners, Montecristi is committed to keeping this traditional craft alive. The "Toquilla Straw Hat Route" and "Cerro de hojas y Jaboncillo" programmes have paved the way to spaces for creation and training in folk art, housed within old buildings in the city. In collaboration with the national Technical Secretariat for Apprenticeships, 15% of craftspeople have been trained in new sustainable production methods and 40% in setting up viable businesses. The city invests in training and the construction of infrastructure for its craft industry which has acquired a strong reputation, thanks to the specific nature of the local intangible heritage, skills and weaving techniques. Cultural activities promoting this heritage to the public, such as "Ciudad Alfaro" and the International Toquilla Straw Weaving Festival, all represent opportunities to showcase the city's thriving creative sector, with concerts, photo exhibitions and documentary screenings.
By joining the Network, Montecristi hopes to strengthen international cooperation around traditional craft methods and intellectual property. By working closely with other members of the Network, the city intends to celebrate the work of craftspeople, help them to protect their know-how and champion ethical and sustainable craftsmanship.
Added value:
As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Montecristi is dedicated to:
Increasing international cooperation with other Creative Cities to enhance local cultural sectors through the exchange of good practices and experience;
Encouraging the introduction of sustainable methods in the crafts and folk art sector, by giving precedence to the sustainable use of natural resources and the implementation of environmentally-friendly production techniques;
Supporting the empowerment of local craftspeople and entrepreneurs in the creative sector through lifelong learning and easier access to markets and finance; and
Boosting cultural tourism by digitizing the city's cultural heritage and organizing craft festivals.
