Traditional Crafts. A Literature Review Focused on Sustainable Development

Abstract

We witness a revival of the crafts due to complex changes in mentalities and society, but also related to the benefits and positive implications that traditional crafts could offer to contemporary societies and economies. Also, traditional crafts are compatible with the concept of sustainable development, which gives them another boost. The present paper represents one of the very few literature reviews in the field of traditional crafts aiming to map the knowledge we possess on traditional crafts. It documents a significant gap between professional and academic research, with the former being visible at local/national levels, but also an increased interest in the field, especially in understanding the future role that traditional crafts could play in communities and economies.