Wood carving market in Windhoek boosts creative commerce in Namibia

STORY: Wood carving market in Windhoek boosts creative commerce in Namibia SHOOTING TIME: May 24, 2024 DATELINE: May 25, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:44 LOCATION: Windhoek CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the wood carving market in Windhoek 2. SOUNDBITE (English): PAULINUS NDELETU, Chairperson of the woodcarvers open market committee 3. various of the wood carving market in Windhoek STORYLINE: A bustling open market is revitalizing creative commerce in the Namibian capital of Windhoek as locals turn to the centuries-old tradition of wood carving to make a living. The products crafted include furniture, wildlife sculptures and accessories, known for their high quality and fair pricing. Wood carving holds historical significance in northeastern Namibia, where cultural heritage skills are passed down through generations. From three artists in 1998, the market now hosts 75 skilled artisans, primarily from the Kavango East and West regions. The open market has also spawned a broader value chain, with supplie

Niigata Russia Village

Niigata Russia Village

Photo taken in September 1994 shows a facility featuring workshops with Russian craftsmen, including woodcarvers and doll painters, at Niigata Russia Village, a theme park that aimed to boost cultural exchange with Russia in the village of Sasakami in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo.

Myanmar wood sculptors forced into relocation due to material shortage

STORY: Myanmar wood sculptors forced into relocation due to material shortage DATELINE: Nov. 24, 2022 LENGTH: 0:05:00 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of wood sculptors working STORYLINE: Most of the wood sculptors from Myanmar's famous wood sculpture village were being forced into relocating their businesses due to raw material shortage. Darpein, 50 kilometers northeast of downtown Yangon, is home to more than 1,000 woodcarvers. Wood sculpturing is the main livelihood of the people in the small town, but it is now difficult to obtain teak and other high-quality wood for sculptures. Besides, there is also a decline in demand for the wood artworks as fewer visitors come here amid the COVID-10 pandemic. The restriction on logging and the difficulty of transporting sculptures are also factors that cause woodcarvers to leave the town. According to local media reports, the authorities are making efforts to turn Darpein into a tourist attraction to protect and promote