The fairground will open its doors on Thursday 4 July from 17:00 to 21:00, and will continue on 5, 6, 7 and 8 July from 11:00 to 21:00.
The Cabildo de La Palma is organising the 36th Island Crafts Fair, which will be held from 4th to 8th July in the Santa Cruz de La Palma harbour area, as part of the Fiestas Lustrales de la Bajada de la Virgen, one of the most emblematic and eagerly awaited events on the island's cultural calendar.
This edition will bring together 126 craftsmen and craftswomen, representing 47 traditional trades, together with 22 companies from the agri-food sector, consolidating this event as one of the most important in the sector in the Canary Islands. The fair will open to the public on Thursday 4th July from 17:00 to 21:00 and will continue on the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th from 11:00 to 21:00.
The president, Sergio Rodríguez, points out that "this fair is much more than an exhibition; it is a living showcase of our cultural heritage, a tribute to generations of craftsmen and craftswomen who have been able to proudly maintain their crafts in an increasingly digitalised world".
The Councillor for Crafts, Pablo Díaz Cobiella, highlighted the variety and richness of the crafts on offer. "From palm basketry and leather goods, to ceramics, jewellery, traditional dressmaking and macramé, visitors will be able to discover the meticulous work of our artisans, who represent not only their art, but the history of our island". He also emphasised the value of this fair during the Bajada de la Virgen and "the work of the staff of the Arts and Crafts Department to ensure that everything goes perfectly".
The CEO of Sodepal, Miriam Perestelo, underlines the importance of business participation. "The 22 food companies present bring flavour and added value to this event. They are producers who defend quality, proximity and sustainability as the cornerstones of their activity".
The fair will feature 18 children's workshops on craft trades, such as doll making, fabric decoration and basket weaving, as well as a special bakery and pastry workshop run by the company Zulay.
The programme is completed with a cultural tour through different municipalities of the island, with the participation of folk groups, music schools and parrandas in municipalities such as Puntallana, Los Llanos de Aridane, Fuencaliente, San Andrés y Sauces, El Paso and Tazacorte, among others.
The Chamber of Commerce of La Palma will also offer specialised advice and information to the participating craftsmen and women in order to promote their professionalisation and commercialisation.
This edition has the collaboration of the councils of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Gomera, the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve, Sodepal, Indispal and other entities committed to promoting the handicraft sector.
Programme with a cultural tour through the different municipalities
All the performances will take place on the grounds of the Feria Insular de Artesanía and will feature the participation of groups representing different municipalities of the island. On Friday 4th July, Santa Cruz de La Palma will open the programme with a performance by the Tuhoco group at 17:00, followed by Puntallana at 19:30, with the municipality's Folklore School accompanied by the dance troupe Danzar de Los Alisios.
On Saturday 5th it will be the turn of Puntagorda, who will perform at 11:30 am. In the afternoon, at 17:30, the Agrupación Folclórica Los Arrieros will perform on behalf of Los Llanos de Aridane, and at 19:30 the Agrupación Folclórica Echentive from Fuencaliente will take the stage.
Sunday 6th July will begin with the participation of the Escuela de Folclore Bediesta de San Andrés y Sauces at 11:30 am. Later, at 17:30 hours, the Asociación Gastronómico Musical Parranda Seis y Media from Villa de Mazo will perform, and the Agrupación Folclórica Alfaguara from Breña Baja will close the day at 19:30 hours.
On Monday 7th the performances will continue with the municipality of Tijarafe at 11:30 am. In the afternoon, at 17:30 hours, it will be the turn of El Paso with the Agrupación Folclórica Volcán San Juan accompanied again by Danzar de los Alisios, and at 19:30 hours the Banda de Música Nueva Esperanza will perform on behalf of Breña Alta.
The programme will conclude on Tuesday 8th July with performances in Villa de Garafía at 11:30 am, Barlovento at 17:30 pm with the Aula Municipal de Música "Tabladitos", and Villa y Puerto de Tazacorte at 19:30 pm, with a performance by the group Susurros del Valle.