Traditional handicrafts as a country brandin

Colombia, November 6-16, 2014

Ethno Network President, Violeta Jovanovic was extended the invitation by the Swiss Institute for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (implementing the \\\'Colipri\\\' project for the protection of products with a denomination of origin) to participate as an expert in a visit to Colombia, and present the experiences of Serbia in preserving and promoting traditional heritage. Program of the visit includes meetings with official representatives of line ministries and relevant government departments that are responsible for the protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin for traditional handicrafts.

Serbia and Colombia share the challenge of having a small number of items with protected geographic origin, especially in the area of handicrafts - our country has recorded only three (Sirogojno, Pirot rug and Bezdan damask), and Colombia officially 11 (with 32 collective marks) and another 15 in the process. On the other hand, due to a large number of tourists, this South American country has a far greater demand and production capacity, which is mainly based on replicas of traditional handicrafts, while producers are struggling with copies flowing in from the east. However, the Government of Colombia has launched a national campaign called „Marca Pais“ to change the country\\\'s image internationally and recognized and handicrafts as a major opportunity for the rebranding of the country, which now form a key element in the economic and tourism promotion. Therefore, the government supports programs to educate and assist producers to register and protect handicrafts and thus generate more income and prosperity for all.

- We have a national organization Etno mreza that has helped to preserve many traditional techniques, but we have no support from the state and can connect with Colombia and benefit mutually from this exchange. Serbia has great potential for the production of traditional handicrafts, but without increasing pu