In 2017, THF/LOTI organized a workshop in Kushu house, a cultural and heritage house restored by THF/LOTI in 2016. This workshop is part of our efforts to preserve the living cultural heritage of Leh old town. The topic was ‘how to organize a workshop: learning activities with the local artisans’ community’. The goal of the workshop was to train artisans and craftsman in how to organize their own workshops, cultural events and activities that could help in the preservation of their crafts and culture while generating income. We hope the future workshops will share their knowledge with schools, local, national and international public in a local context where traditional crafts and culture are still part of people’s daily life.

Eleven local artisans and craftsman attended the workshop. They were selected among the people living in the old town of Leh, according to their skills and trade. The workshop was divided in two parts. In the first part they learnt all necessary steps in how to organize a workshop, and in the second part how to put in practice what they have learnt by organizing a cultural event, promote it and carry it out. The workshop was designed following the local context in order to fit the local needs.

The workshop was given by Yutaka Hirako, Sonam Gyatso, Stanzin Dolkar with support from Pimpim de Azevedo and Mathias Neitzel.