Since 2022

ARTTEN FOUNDATION

In a world marked by rising violence and deepening divisions –
a thread can be stronger than a wall. Walls divide and isolate.

Threads connect and endure. Artten Foundation offers: 

Workshops · Guest Lectures · Exhibitions
Art Therapy · Team Building · CSR & Sustainability

Worn close to the heart

Roses of Ties

Roses of Ties is a female art collective consisting of Ukrainian refugees who use arts and crafts as a means of healing and integration. The initiative was developed by Ludmila Christeseva, who has been nominated for the Nelson Mandela Prize 2026 by the City of Stockholm. Roses of Ties presents workshops, art exhibitions, and performance works at human rights conferences, art institutions, and within academic research on memory, sustainability, and peacebuilding.

45+

Sustainability workshops

600+

Moments of Healing and Transformation

10mln +

People connected and inspired

550+

Ties became Roses of Ties

Weaving Global Impact: Patterns of Empowerment, Solidarity, and Peace

Weaving art - Healing art

Turkey-Belarus

The project united women from Belarus and Turkey.

Ukraine-Greece-USA

Presentation of "Light Saves Lives" during Stockholm Design Week.

Belarus-Turkey-France

Women across borders and restrictions crochet for peace.

USA-Norway-Ukraine

The textile workshop at Oslo Freedom Forum.

Ukraine-Sweden

Flash Mob at Modern Art Museum in Stockholm for Museums' Night.

Ukraine-Sweden

Ukrainian and Swedish children painted a body of works for peace.

Collective Weaving for Peace

Gul&Blå:
Hela Sverige Flätar

Over 8,000 participants have taken part in the collective weaving of a 6 x 3 meter Swedish flag, side by side with Ukrainian refugees. Originally initiated to unite two nations during the centennial celebration of Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) in 2023, the project has since grown into a powerful symbol of integration. The weaving workshops have taken place across Sweden and have been documented in a Master’s thesis at Uppsala University (2025), as well as in the documentary Weaving by Hsuan Yu Pan (New York, USA).

85+

Workshops across Sweden

1000+

Hours of Creativity

10mln +

People's hopes and aspirations

55+

Meters of recycled textiles are utilized

MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW

Choose Donation Package

Hope

Contribute 100 SEK

Can provide 250 grams of yarn for Ukrainian mothers to knit two pairs of socks for soldiers.

Optimism

Contribute 450 SEK

Can provide knitting kits for five women, enabling them to cope with the trauma of war and loneliness through crafts.

Book workshop for your Employees 350 SEK/pers

Roses of Ties

This workshop combines creativity and storytelling to bring teams closer. Employees share personal stories behind ties and transform them into roses to wear close to the heart. It’s a hands-on, accessible activity that fosters empathy, connection, and a deeper understanding of one another—no crafting skills required.

Donate Old Ties

We need more Roses

Knitting, weaving, and traditional crafts are vital sources of well-being, especially for women affected by war and displacement. Our workshops are offered free of charge, creating safe spaces for healing, connection, and learning. Your support directly funds materials, safe spaces, and learning sessions - turning craft into healing, and community into resilience.

About the Founder Ludmila Christeseva

Global Textile Movement for Peace and Freedom

Ludmila Christeseva is an accomplished artist and curator, recognized for her commitment to amplifying female voices in the arts through various international projects.


With the onset of the war in Ukraine, Christeseva took the lead in organizing public textile workshops focused on the production of camouflage nets. Her noble aim was to contribute to saving lives in Ukraine. During this period, she formed an art collective named “Crafts that Unite, Heal, and Last,” consisting of Ukrainian refugee mothers and children who wove for peace.


In acknowledgment of her significant societal impact, bringing hope and optimism to those who lost families and homes, Ludmila Christeseva was nominated for the Nelson Mandela Prize. She achieved further acclaim by winning the prestigious Impact of the Year 2023 award from IHM Impact Awards, solidifying her dedication to making a positive change through her artistic initiatives.

Global Sisterhood

Committed To Empowering Women

Weaving and various crafts have historically not been viable sources of income for women across different generations and cultures. At Artten Foundation, we actively delve into the realms of fashion, crafts, and sustainability, aiming to foster sustainable sisterly relationships and empower women from diverse cultural disciplines. Our projects are thoughtfully designed as collaborative efforts among women, creating a powerful and supportive community of artists and creators.

Democracy and Gender Equality

We tackle patterns of exclusion, structural barriers, and unequal power relations. Our approach involves unique strategies to empower women and youths on a global scale. Through education, collaboration, and exhibitions, we aim to foster a more equitable and inclusive society.

Made in Solidarity and Compassion

Suzani for Peace

The “Suzani for Peace” project amplifies women’s voices for peace through various artistic expressions. Women globally have joined the project, contributing their unique granny square designs to create a unified artwork titled “Solidarity.”

Turkey

Turkish women are actively engaged in Suzani for Peace project.

United States

Documentary Film Production with female directors.

Belarus

Curatorial strategies to bring visibility to Belarusian female artists.