Showing 1 - 10 of 19
China's Buddha artisans carve out a living from dying trade
AFP, Published on 19/01/2026
» SUZHOU, China - In a dimly lit workshop in eastern China, craftsman Zhang measured and shaped a block of wood into a foot as dozens of half-completed life-sized Buddha statues looked on silently.
Irish octogenarian enjoys new lease on life making harps
AFP, Published on 30/10/2025
» STRABANE, Northern Ireland - “It’s never too late to start a new hobby,” says 89-year-old Irish harp-maker Noel Anderson, one of only a few making the intricate instrument, a national symbol of Ireland.
True blue tradition: how Japan's coveted jeans are made
AFP, Published on 18/12/2024
» KOJIMA-AJINO (JAPAN) - Call it an antidote to fast fashion: Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
Man in a wooden suit: Finnish craftsman turns bark to art
AFP, Published on 05/12/2023
» ASIKKALA (FINLAND) - In his rustic cabin in the forests of southern Finland, 87-year-old Erkki Pekkarinen carves delicate strips of birch bark with his knife, before intricately weaving them into beautiful objects.
Final lap for Malaysian trishaw maker
AFP, Published on 14/04/2023
» GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia: In a rustic Malaysian workshop about a century old and cluttered with racks of tyres, a stoic, white-haired man dressed in a T-shirt and shorts inspects his nearly finished trishaw.
Ukraine armoury turns to making bullet-proof vests for troops
AFP, Published on 02/05/2022
» ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine: Ukrainian armour-maker Vadim Mirnichenko used to specialise in swords and breastplates for medieval jousting competitions -- but after Russia invaded his homeland, he turned his passion for historical weaponry to the modern day.
Mexico fights 'plagiarism' with indigenous fashion fair
AFP, Published on 21/11/2021
» MEXICO CITY - Mexico is fighting back against what it calls the plagiarism of indigenous textiles, bringing together traditional artisans and international designers for dialogue aimed at creating a more equitable fashion industry.
Tears, dance as Benin welcomes back looted treasures from France
AFP, Published on 11/11/2021
» COTONOU - With drums, dancing and tears, Benin on Wednesday welcomed back nearly 30 royal treasures looted from the West African state during France's colonial rule more than 130 years ago.
Even in rarefied world of French cuisine, you gotta Insta
AFP, Published on 15/08/2021
» PARIS - It was a shockwave in the world of French cuisine.
Let it go! Japan PM declares war on ink stamp 'hanko'
AFP, Published on 11/11/2020
» TOKYO - Japan's new prime minister is declaring war, but there's no danger of an international conflict: the target of his ire is the humble ink stamp known as hanko.