FINCA Became a Partner of the Handicraft Festival “Oimo”

Since the beginning of time, a pattern for the Kyrgyz people means more rather simple art element. The pattern put on any item describes emotions, pictures and sometimes whole history.   Semiotics of the national ornamental patterns loses its fame and value from day to day, but anyway it was preserved in the country and those for whom the pattern became their life. Only they – the handicraftsmen majority of whom belongs to several generations dedicated their life to this art and transformed it into profitable business – formed majority among FINCA’s clients. One of priority goals of the company is to promote business development, raise knowledge, and living standard of our clients.

In this connection, the company became a partner of the international handicraft festival “Oimo”, which is held in Kyrgyzstan this year. It is second year of FINCA engagement in this activity, but the festival has its 8-year history in Kyrgyzstan. The festival became a forum to share experience, learn different cultures, techniques, history of this unique art. Initially, it was held mainly with participation of the handicraftsmen from Kyrgyzstan. Last years, it obtained a status of international event. To take part in the festival, the glass blowers from Pakistan, masters of ceramics from Uzbekistan and gold embroideresses from India arrive to Kyrgyzstan.

As to the clients of the company “FINCA”, for example, Ainura Imanalieva with a help of credits of the company FINCA developed her business. She produces unique wedding dresses in traditional Kyrgyz style. This year, her draesses were very demanded on the threshold of the fall.

“We always have many orders, so much, that we cannot go outside, – Ainura Imanalieva said. – I am always inspired on the Issyk-Kul seashore. Thanks to support of my financial partner FINCA and new ideas born after participation in the festival, I believe I will create something new”.

Participation of Ainura and about dozens of other clients in the fair, which serves as a springboard for business development and gaining client audience, funded by FINCA for the second year.

In a course of ten-day fair, traditionally held in the capital of Kyrgyzstan and followed-up on seashore of the Issyk-Kul lake, master-classes on technologies of production of any crafts are conducted. There is a chance to be acquainted with cultural traditions of different ethnic groups. For example, this year, women from remote Alay in ethnic cloths typical for the south of Kyrgyzstan dramatized beautiful ceremony “Parting with bride” – “Kyz Uzatuu” – for the guests from various countries. We have to say that handicrafts, which have being presented by the masters from Kyrgyzstan, are unique and cause interest among both the participants of the fair and ordinary buyers. None of ethnic groups in the world have such techniques of carpet weaving as “terme” or patchwork as “kurak”. Understanding significance of inimitable handicrafts and uniqueness of the masters who are just few people, the company FINCA funded their participation at this fair as well.

The fair is characterized by riot of colors presented on its counters. Here, for buyer viewing – both the guests and citizens of the capital and tourists who came to the Issyk-Kul lake for summer holidays – the goods produced from felt, silk scarfs, dresses, jewelry from silver, wooden saddles covered by leather and numerous beautiful and unique thins were presented. By the way, mandatory conditions for participation of the handicraftsmen at the fair are environment friendly natural raw materials and manual craftworks.

Burul Jusupbekova has passed through thoroughly selection. Her brand of silver jewelry is Ethno.Kg, which was also popular among the women-buyers.  It is not easy to adapt ethnic features to modern tastes of the devotees of styled adornments, but Burul and her team succeeded for many years. Certainly, it is managed with a help of timely financial investment. “In such business as our business, we need big investment, since raw material is expensive, and crediting practice supports us. And the fair is an excellent opportunity to find new buyers”, – Burul said.

In general, this creative art is not easy way; it demands emotional replenishment even more than financial investment. Probably, masters and handicraftsmen, who attended the festival, have gotten energy for whole year. FINCA will always help to fulfill their ideas in reality.