In a world increasingly shaped by digital innovation and mass production, the reDiscover project (2023–24) offers a refreshing return to tradition. Led by Laterna Magica (Hungary) in collaboration with partners from Georgia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Poland, this EU-backed initiative reconnects young designers and emerging artisans with experienced senior European crafts professionals—bridging the gap between heritage and innovation, sustainability and creativity.
Nowhere is this fusion more vivid than in Poland, where six traditional crafts from the Kashubian region have taken center stage. These crafts, some dating back centuries, are not only aesthetic and functional but also deeply rooted in the cultural identity and rhythms of rural life. At the heart of this revival are passionate artisans who blend ancestral knowledge with modern inspiration.
These stories have been beautifully captured through video and photography by Jan Rusek, with project coordination by Anna Ratajczak-Krajka. The workshops and artist profiles were produced by the Ethnography Collection of the National Museum in Gdańsk, with the support of the European Union—ensuring that this rich heritage is documented and shared with new audiences across Europe. Discover the crafts here.
Glass Painting
Folk painter Alicja Serkowska keeps alive the luminous tradition of Kashubian painting on glass. Once a staple of religious devotion in local homes, these vibrant images—often drawn from embroidery and folk furniture—are now taught in workshops that blend art, history, and storytelling.
Pottery
Ceramist Monika Wieczorkowska carries forward the earthy, hands-on legacy of Kashubian clay pottery. With simple yet symbolic forms like mugs and snuff vessels (dënice), her studio connects people across generations and borders through hands-on ceramic art.
Wood Sculpture
Sculptor Stanisław Śliwiński’s expressive linden wood figures, both sacred and secular, capture the essence of Polish folk carving. His colourful saints, fishermen, and musicians reflect a unique artistic voice rooted in tradition yet vibrantly personal.
Embroidery
Elżbieta Żuławska’s needlework continues the tradition inspired over a century ago by Teodora Gulgowska. Her Kashubian embroidery, defined by vivid seven-colour palettes and floral motifs, transforms everyday fabrics into heirlooms and links generations through textile art.
Horn Processing
Craftsman Henryk Lessnau elevates horn-working into a sculptural art form. His snuff boxes, shaped like birds, animals, or even shoes, are whimsical yet masterfully made, turning animal horns into both utility and ornament, often adorned with amber and silver details.
Basketmaking
Regina Białk revives the almost-forgotten art of pine and juniper root plaiting. Her baskets and ritual decorations echo the forested Kashubian landscape, showing how nature and tradition intertwine in the most tactile of ways.
Through hands-on workshops and compelling videos, the reDiscover project not only preserves these crafts but invites a new generation to reimagine them. It builds bridges between past and future, handmade and design, culture and sustainability, by honoring the wisdom of folk art and the skill of its artisans.
Want to discover these crafts and their creators ? Visit rediscover-project.eu and watch their stories unfold.
Regina Garcia Nunez
