A Guardian for European Fine Craftsmanship

How the Homo Faber Guide highlights some traditional gems

A bell cast by Slovakian bellfounder Robert Sliz, who uses medieval techniques to make each bell—a process that takes months. Courtesy of Michelangelo Foundation

One of the greatest joys of travel is happenstance, and for several years now the pandemic has robbed us of such foreign joys. Many artisans reliant on tourists and in-person visits have suffered financially because of endless lockdowns.

For instance, the UK-based Heritage Crafts Association found that the stress of running a business during a pandemic has meant that some skilled craftspeople have decided to take early retirement. Of the artisans still in business, many have had to create new sources of revenue due to the lockdowns and the loss of traditional sources of income, and so online marketing (such as the number of online tutorials showing crafts) has increased.