INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFTS PROJECT

DAY 1 – September 7, 2025 – INTRODUCTION MEETING – MÜSİAD NEDERLAND OFFICE/AMSTERDAM

On the first day of the project, we were transferred to the airport by VIP vehicle. After checking into the hotel, we had dinner with the MÜSİAD board members and project participants. After dinner, we went to the Musiad Netherlands office for a meeting. At the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. The heads of the institutions explained their associations and their activities, and project coordinator Ahmed Cihad provided information about the upcoming activities and details. After the meeting, we watched the Türkiye-Spain football match with refreshments. Our participants, who stayed at the Artemis Hotel throughout the project, dined at Göreme Restaurant.

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DAY 2 – 08.09.2025 – VISITS – THE HAGUE (DEN HAAG) AND AMSTERDAM

The visits proceeded with the participation of participants from Turkey and North Macedonia, along with Musiad Nederland members and handicrafts project managers Esra TOPRAK DEMİR and Ayşe KALYON. The first visit was to the Avrasya Foundation in The Hague. There, Çiğdem GİZAY GÜVENER and other members and volunteers briefed the delegation on the foundation's handicrafts activities, potential collaborative projects, and information was provided about the international handicrafts project. The second visit was to Stadsdeel West Amsterdam. There, our delegation was welcomed by Deputy Mayor Nazmi TÜRKKOL and the head of culture and arts. They first toured the municipality building and proceeded to a meeting. During the meeting, they learned about the municipality's art activities and introduced their project. The visit proceeded to the area designated by the municipality for artisans and examined their work. The third visit was to the Amsterdam branch of the Yunus Emre Institute. Adil AKALTUN, YEE director, and his staff warmly welcomed the guests. They discussed ESDER and YEE's joint projects, handicrafts projects, and potential future projects. The Institute offered refreshments, listened to the reed flute (ney taksim), toured the institute building, filled out a scrapbook, took photos for an interview with Adil in Kepenk magazine, and presented gifts.

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DAY 3 – September 9, 2025 – HANDICRAFT WORKSHOP AND MUSEUM TOUR - ROYAL DELFT

We visited Royal Delft, renowned for its Delft blue ceramics. We first toured the museum and production facility with the institution's director, Co Van NIEUWENHUIJZEN. The workshop instructor, John HOUTMAN, introduced the history, materials, and dyeing of Delft blue ceramics, and then began the training. A total of 10 participants from the project partner institutions created two works using black and blue paint. The black one will be fired and exhibited at the gala in Ankara. We extend our gratitude to the staff of this exemplary and elite facility, Co Van and John, for their commitment to the art of living in every aspect.

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DAY 3 – 09.09.2025 – HANDICRAFT DOCUMENTARY FILMING - ROYAL DELFT

Following the workshop with Delft blue ceramic artisans, the filming of an international handicrafts documentary took place. The filming was conducted with facility manager Co Van NIEUWENHUIJZEN and workshop instructor John HOUTMAN. Interviews were conducted on Delft blue and handicrafts in general. Professional microphones, lighting, lenses, and other equipment were used to capture footage. Detailed images were taken of the production, museum, and store sections. High-resolution images of the facility and its surroundings were captured using a drone. Director Mustafa Selim and his assistant Volkan Emre conducted the filming. Coordinator Ahmed Cihad and translator Nermin also assisted in the filming.

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DAY 4 – September 10, 2025 – TRIP AND EXHIBITION - ZAANSE SCHANS, MUSIAD NEDERLAND OFFICE

The final day of the Netherlands tour took place. The Zaanse Schans area was visited, and visitors learned about Dutch culture, history, art, cuisine, and architecture, including cheese, wooden shoes, diamonds, chocolate, windmills, and old village houses. In this spacious and well-maintained open-air museum, participants purchased souvenirs and received detailed information from our guide, Ahmet Bey.

An exhibition of Delft blue ceramics made in the workshop was displayed on specially illuminated shelves in the Musiad Nederland office. The names of the 10 participants were labeled next to their works. The exhibition was opened by Ali Bey, President of MUSIAD. Guests viewed the exhibition, and interviews were held with the owners.

An evaluation meeting was held on the last day of the project, where all Musiad board members and project participants evaluated the work and planned the activities to be carried out in Macedonia.

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DAY 5 – 11.09.2025 – DOCUMENTARY DETAIL SHOTS – DELFT AND AMSTERDAM

No activities took place on the final day of the project. The Macedonian Bridge Association team returned to their home country. The Turkish ESDER team embarked on a European tour to cover the association's projects and activities. The filming team and our coordinator returned to Royal Delft to complete the detail shots. The filming team collected the necessary footage in central Amsterdam and at Adam Tower. Visibility materials were placed in appropriate locations throughout the project, and project logo magnets were affixed to vehicles. Photographs and videos of all activities were taken, signatures were collected from participants, and consent forms were obtained from the actors featured in the film. A meeting was held at the exhibition with Ebubekir TURGUT, editor-in-chief of Platform magazine, who was scheduled to visit but could not make it. We thank everyone who contributed.