Çini Shines in Spain: Kütahya at the Manises Ceramics Festival

MANISES, ES – July, 2023 — Kütahya deepened its international cultural connections in July of 2023 by taking part in Spain’s celebrated Manises Ceramics Festival, one of Europe’s most vibrant gatherings dedicated to ceramic arts and traditional craftsmanship. Held annually in the historic pottery center of Manises—a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and a key city on the European Route of Ceramics—the festival brings together artists, institutions, and Creative Cities from around the world for a lively week of exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and public festivities.

After participating in a virtual photography exhibition hosted by the city in 2021 (due to pandemic protocols), Kütahya’s representatives gladly made the trip to Manises in 2023 to promote the city’s centuries-old çini tradition, to present contemporary design approaches, and engage in professional exchanges with international ceramic specialists. Their festival booth and demonstrations drew strong attention from visitors, highlighting the global appeal of Kütahya’s craft heritage and its growing recognition within international cultural networks. Showcasing the masterful skills of the city’s artisans, Canan Güneş, a faculty member in the ceramics department of Dumlupınar University (DPÜ) in Kütahya — won first prize in the pottery-wheel competition with her demonstration.

Famous for its open-air firings, street shows, and creative community participation, the Manises Festival serves as an important global meeting point for ceramic cities. Kütahya’s ongoing participation strengthens cooperation within both the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the European Route of Ceramics, supporting new partnerships, artist mobility, and cultural dialogue.