On July 12, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus has led the procession of artists at the 15th International Folk Art Market at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prof. Yunus has been invited to chair the 15th annual celebration of folk art at the historic Santa Fe Plaza which is the largest market of its kind worldwide. The yearly bazaar is a global amalgamation of artists and consumers of folk art coming from all over the world. The three-day market serves as a platform for cultural exchange and provides for an outlet for the artists to showcase and trade their creations.
Prof. Yunus who is a proponent of the notions of self-initiative and entrepreneurship to overcome the barriers faced by society today inspired the artists and other attendees to channel that power within in their work. Underscoring the damage laid across by mainstream capitalism, Prof. Yunus shared his vision of a novel economic system which recognizes both the selfless and selfish nature of humans, but is built on the former. He said “The real human being is a mixture of both selfishness and selflessness; modern economists have thrown away the selfless”.
The festive exchange of craft and resources also left the Nobel Laureate inspired to promote policy support to anything made by human hands. Such as, removing all import and export duties in such items as a respect for human creativity of common men and women all around the world.
The International Folk Art Market Sante Fe is attended by 20,000 people generating over $ 3.5 million turnover. Growing from a grass root initiative, the IFAM has grown into a non-profit organization that empowers folk artists globally with participation by over 150 artists from 56 countries. The CEO of IFAM, Jeff Snell said in a statement that the artists’ pursuit of craft in helping transform communities when enabled with the support of capital and market reflect the principles of Prof. Yunus.
Prof. Yunus was greeted by Mayor Alan Webber, Santa Fe, IFAM Board Chair, Kathryn King Coleman and IFAM CEO, Jeff Snell. Prof. Yunus also held signing of his latest book “A World of Three Zeros” during the tour. Besides leading the procession, Prof. Yunus also attended One World Dinner by IFAM and its renowned gala event Opening Night Market Preview Party in the later part of the day. Prof. Yunus also met with Global Youth Ambassador students, selected artists, saw the Sing for Hope piano decorated by Mandela International Magnet School students and attended a Sing for Hope piano performance by guest artists.
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