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Glass Bridge: From Murano to Shanga

A voluntary design and craft initiative connecting Italian master glassblowers with Tanzanian artisans, led by designer Emmanuel Babled and KUKUA.

Glass Bridge began as a voluntary project imagined by glass designer Emmanuel Babled, who has more than 30 years of experience with the glass masters of Murano. He offered his help to Shanga, a social enterprise in Arusha that has worked in Tanzania for twenty years. Half of Shanga’s team are people with disabilities, and they make objects from recycled glass and reclaimed materials. From this offer of help, a relationship was born.

Two Venetian masters, Andrea Zilio and Luigi Varagnolo, chose to join Emmanuel as volunteers. The first workshop took place in Arusha from 15 to 24 November 2025. For ten days, Murano techniques that go back centuries met the skill of Shanga’s Tanzanian glassblowers and their creative use of upcycled glass.

The aim is simple and ambitious. It is to move glassmaking forward through shared knowledge and to build cooperation between Italy and Tanzania. It is to celebrate the fraternity and passion that artisans share across borders. It is also to put design to work for the development and well-being of marginalised communities, through circular economy and upcycling, and so contribute to the growth of East Africa’s creative economy.

Every piece presented here is unique. They are the very pieces made during the trial period of this first workshop, by the masters working together with Emmanuel Babled. They carry its story: voluntary commitment, an inclusive team, and the beauty of discarded glass turned into fine craft. Sales of these pieces will buy new tools for the Tanzanian workshop, so its artisans can go on to explore new and exquisite work.

The project has received the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Dar es Salaam. This support made it possible for the Italian masters to travel, and for 800 kg of moulds, tools and materials to be shipped from Murano to Arusha.