European Craft Days 2026: With Heart and Soul
The European Craft Days (ECD) are returning this spring. From 7 to 12 April 2026, the European crafts sector will once again shift its focus from the gallery to the workshop, celebrating the specific connection between skill, territory, and material. The European Crafts Alliance is proud to support this movement, initiated and coordinated by L’Institut pour les Savoir-Faire Français.
Same Event, New Title
From 2026 onwards, the annual event adopts a clearer, stronger English title: European Craft Days. The removal of “Artistic” is designed to reduce language barriers, with “craft” being the operative word. Whether the national terminology is Métiers d’art, Kunsthandwerk, or Hantverk, the simplified English title now tells the story in a unified voice.
The 2026 Theme: With Heart and Soul
The theme of the ECD 2026 is With Heart and Soul (Cœurs à l’ouvrage). Often, we picture a craftsperson working alone. This year, however, the focus shifts to the shared effort behind the work. It connects the “Heart” – the passion, with the “Soul” – the discipline required to shape timber, fire clay, or weave fibre. Most importantly, the theme is about connection. It celebrates how specific techniques are passed down from hand to hand, keeping crafts alive in both cities and rural regions.