Ilona Ködöböcz-Gerzsenyi
М25, 67, Shom, Zakarpats'ka oblast, Ukraine, 90220
Ilona Ködöböcz-Gerzsenyi
iluskaekszer@gmail.com
Introduction
Ilona Ködöböcz-Gerzsenyi has been captivated by handicrafts since childhood. Knitting, sewing, weaving and embroidery have been close to her heart ever since. Fourteen years ago she started making jewelleries and other accessories using gemstones, glass and porcelain with metal findings. This activity brought to life the Iluska Ékszer brand. She is also active as a craftsman and a designer, particularly in traditional dressmaking and jewellery. Nowadays her focus has shifted more toward traditional clothing designs, which incorporate folk motifs into contemporary fashion. Her pieces of work have been exhibited in regional folk and crafts exhibitions as well as in Kyiv and Budapest.
Thematic relevance
Ilona as a thematic expert of the Hungarian Heritage House Network is actively involved in organizing folk art programs, folk costume exhibitions, handicraft workshops and training courses mainly in Transcarpathia. She is known for her work in preserving and promoting folk traditions and cultural identity in her region. Her wide-ranging work and experience as an expert and artisan contributes to the valorisation of heritage crafts by preserving and revitalising traditional handicraft techniques, transmitting knowledge to younger generations through workshops and community programmes, and elevating folk art to a recognised cultural and professional practice. Through exhibitions and public engagement, her activities increase the visibility and appreciation of heritage crafts, while also cre