“Topchu” Art Group

“Topchu” Art Group is an association of 7 women, living in a marginalized mountain area, that are engaged in the design and manufacture of handicrafts.

Topchu works to revamp the traditional Kyrgyz knowledge in handicraft production, providing training and promoting the revival of neglected traditions. It uses ecofriendly raw material for its products.

Topchu in Kyrgyz means button. The women chose this name because in the past, buttons were made of silver, so only the wealthy could afford them, but today everyone can have buttons. Traditionally, grandmothers gift every newborn with a button from their jacket to keep as a talisman.