Kosiv Painted Ceramics: A UNESCO Film on Hutsul Pottery Tradition

High in the foothills of the Ukrainian Carpathians lies Kosiv, a small town in the Ivano-Frankivsk region that has become synonymous with a particular kind of pottery. Its plates, jugs and tiles, covered with lively scenes and ornaments, are among the treasures of Hutsul folk art.

A craft of the Hutsul highlands

The Hutsuls are a highland community of the Carpathians, known for their woodcarving, embroidery, metalwork and music. Ceramics occupy a special place in this culture. Kosiv potters traditionally cover the red clay with a light-coloured slip and then paint or scratch designs into it before glazing and firing.

Kosiv ceramics are usually recognised by:

• a limited, earthy palette dominated by green, yellow and brown on a cream background;
• motifs of plants, animals, birds, horsemen and scenes of everyday Hutsul life;
• the use of a sgraffito-like technique, where the design is scratched through the slip;
• glazes that gently run during firing, giving the patterns a soft, flowing look.

In 2019 UNESCO added the tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription recognised both the artistic style and the way skills are transmitted within families and through local art education.

Kosiv also hosts an institute of decorative and applied arts, which helps train new generations of ceramicists.

What to expect from the video

Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics is a short documentary from UNESCO's official YouTube channel. It belongs to the series of films the organisation publishes to present elements of intangible heritage, so viewers can expect an overview of the tradition as a living practice in its home region, framed from the perspective of international heritage protection.

For travellers planning a trip to the Carpathians, the film is a good way to learn what to look for in local markets and workshops. For everyone else, it is a reminder that Ukrainian folk art is remarkably varied, with each region keeping its own distinctive voice.

Video: UNESCO / YouTube