Tenerife's 41st Craft Fair Set for December, Free Entry

Officials from the Tenerife Island Council and the Canary Islands Government recently met with artisans from across the islands. The meeting was held to finalize plans for the 41st Regional Craft Fair, which will take place from December 5 to 8 at the Tenerife Exhibition Centre. Entry to the fair will be free.

During the meeting, important details for the fair were discussed. These included how exhibition spaces will be arranged, the organization of hands-on workshops, and the promotion strategy for media and social networks. Transport and setup logistics were also covered, according to a statement from the Island Council.

A key point highlighted was the need to engage young people in crafts, to ensure these skills are passed down through generations.

Efraín Medina, the Island Council's Minister of Employment, announced that a permanent technical committee would be created. He explained, "This working group will help us maintain open communication between the government and the professionals participating in the fair, not only for the organization of this event but also for future initiatives."

To make the fair more engaging for visitors, organizers suggested adding extra activities. These include talks, special exhibitions, areas for children's crafts, and a tasting zone for traditional local food products.

These proposals aim to attract a wider range of visitors and highlight the fair's educational and cultural value. The 41st Regional Craft Fair will feature 140 artisans from all the islands, spread across a 12,000 square meter space. This year, the fair will focus on the Traditional Attire of the Canary Islands.

Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of traditional crafts, such as embroidery, traditional costumes, rod basketry, pottery, traditional carpentry, 'calado' (Canarian lace), and 'roseta' (a type of lace recently recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands).

The fair will also showcase modern crafts like ceramics, soap making, doll making, jewelry, cutlery, printing and engraving, felt work, and glasswork, among others.

Beyond the main exhibition and sales area, the fair will offer educational workshops and master classes. There will also be activities for both children and adults to learn about the importance of traditional attire. The program also features high-quality musical performances, educational parades organized by the Sectoral Council of Traditional Attire of Tenerife, and a dedicated area for rest and food, offering authentic products from the Canary Islands.