UNESCO Honors Sifnos for Folk Art and Crafts Heritage

Sifnos has been named one of the 58 new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), earning international recognition for its centuries-old tradition of Sifnian pottery and its vibrant heritage in folk art and craftsmanship.

The announcement places Sifnos among newly admitted cities and regions from across the world, spanning countries including Wales, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Romania, South Korea, Japan, France, Italy, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, and many more. Sifnos is the sole representative of Greece in this year’s list of new members.

Founded in 2004, UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network is considered one of the most significant global initiatives promoting culture and creativity as strategic drivers of sustainable development. The network now includes 408 cities from 100 countries, recognised across seven creative fields: Folk Art and Crafts, Gastronomy, Music, Literature, Film, Design, Media Arts, and Architecture. Member cities exchange best practices, collaborate on projects, and integrate culture at the core of their long-term planning.

Sifnos’ distinction follows a previous milestone in 2022, when its celebrated ceramic heritage was inscribed on Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage by decision of the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.

“Sifnos is made of clay and tradition,” said Yiannis Rafeletos, Deputy Mayor of Tourism for the Municipality of Sifnos. “This important international recognition confirms the timelessness, uniqueness and historical depth of the destination and honours all Sifnians, professionals, and institutions who contributed to this achievement.”

The Municipality of Sifnos expressed its deep gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Minister Lina Mendoni, Greece’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Giorgos Koumoutsakos, the President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, the Cyclades Chamber of Commerce, the Panhellenic Union of Folk Art Craftsmen, the Panhellenic Union of Ceramists and Potters, the Sifnos Potters Association, and all collaborators whose efforts helped secure this major distinction.

The island’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network highlights its long-standing mastery in ceramics, its commitment to preserving local craftsmanship, and its vision for cultural-driven sustainable development on both a national and international stage.