The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, inaugurated the 35th Craft Fair of Lanzarote in Mancha Blanca, accompanied by the Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín; the island's Minister of Crafts, Aroa Revelo; the Minister of Culture, Jesús Machín Tavío; the mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín, and as a special guest of this edition, the coordinator of the Portuguese Federation of Arts and Crafts, Helder Coutinho.
Consolidated as one of the most important in the Canary Islands, the presentation of this new edition began this Tuesday afternoon in Mancha Blanca with the traditional ribbon cutting at the main entrance of the venue, followed by a musical performance by four young artists from the island: Aarón Vera (timple), Raúl Caraballo (Guitar and soloist), Abraham Caraballo (soloist) and Sofía Gil (soloist), who performed a traditional folía with verses created for the occasion by the renowned musician Benito Cabrera.
During his speech, the island president, Oswaldo Betancort, stressed the importance of this great event, with relevance and impact not only at the island level, but for the entire Archipelago. "The Lanzarote Craft Fair is a place where the works that are part of our cultural identity are recovered and celebrated," he said.
“This year, in addition, this important fair is marked by cultural diversity, and we will have the honor of having the presence of artisans from the islands of Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde. Their participation not only enriches our fair, but also strengthens the historical and cultural ties we share. Lanzarote and La Graciosa are increasingly two central and reference points of Macaronesia,” he added.
“The Lanzarote Craft Fair is not only a showcase of the art and meticulous work of our artisans, but also a tribute to the history, traditions, and identity that define us as a people,” he concluded, thanking the collaboration of the Tinajo City Council and, in particular, its mayor, Jesús Machín, for his unconditional support in the organization of this event, as well as the tireless work of the municipal staff and the Departments of Crafts and Culture of the Cabildo of Lanzarote. Without their dedication and effort, it would be impossible to carry out a fair of this magnitude.
For her part, the Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín, added that “this event not only promotes our artisanal wealth, but also promotes the economic and social development of the Island, creating ties between generations.”
As host, the mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín, pointed out that the Craft Fair “is a benchmark for our municipality, which, year after year, becomes the epicenter of the tradition and culture of Lanzarote, as well as the Canary Islands.”
More details of the fair
This edition has more than 120 professionals committed to preserving the artisanal trades and customs that define the identity of the islands. The fair opened its doors this afternoon and will continue to receive thousands of people on Wednesday, September 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and can be visited until Sunday the 15th, at 9:30 p.m.
The event ended with a tour of the different stands of the fair, where attendees were able to see firsthand the wide range of handicrafts in an exhibition space that houses more than a hundred stalls where artisans from Lanzarote, the Canary Islands and guest countries will show their creations. Among them, the representatives of Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde stand out, who will contribute a rich cultural diversity of Macaronesia. These international guests will contribute to highlighting the value of multiculturalism and the tradition that unites these Atlantic territories.
The theme of this 35th edition focuses on handicrafts made of vegetable fibers, highlighting the ancestral techniques that have endured over time. Specialists in pottery, ceramics, carpentry, basketry, and other trades will be present to show their work and share with the public the knowledge that contributes to conserving, preserving and disseminating the traditions that are part of the idiosyncrasy of Lanzarote.