Abstract:

Folk handicrafts and crafts in Poland, although no longer existing in their natural context with the sole purpose of serving the rural population, continue to play a significant cultural role today. This fact has been influenced by the changes that have taken place in agricultural production and general civilisational changes, such as: the influx of factory goods to the countryside, changing preferences in the countryside, changes in the employment structure and migrations to cities. In Poland, however, crafts and handicrafts have been under the protection and care of state patronage since before World War II. It was made through various activities of institutions specially established for this purpose, as well as the activities of museums and ministries. In Poland, museums, scientific institutions and cultural NGOs carry out research into crafts, handicrafts and publishing. Websites are also created to promote and educate in the field of handicrafts, bringing the history and traditions closer and drawing attention to the economic factor and the possibility of acquiring certain products. In this article, I will look at the contemporary reception of handicrafts based on my own observations, my ongoing projects on both historical and contemporary handicrafts and crafts, and the literature on the subject.