Tenerife’s Tricontinental Craft Fair Draws Over 10,000 Visitors
The eighth Tricontinental Craft Fair in Tenerife attracted over 10,000 visitors this weekend, celebrating cultural ties between Europe, Africa, and Latin America through workshops, exhibitions, and international artisan displays.
The eighth Tricontinental Craft Fair proved its popularity this weekend, drawing over 10,000 visitors to the Tenerife Trade Fair Center, according to the Island Council. The event, which serves as a cultural bridge between Europe, Africa, and Latin America, highlighted how traditional crafts remain vital for both cultural identity and economic growth.
The fair gained significant institutional attention with a visit from Uruguay’s Minister of Education and Culture, José Carlos Mahía. His presence supported the seven Uruguayan artisans exhibiting at the fair and highlighted the deep historical ties between the Canary Islands and Uruguay. Efraín Medina, the Island Councilor for Employment, Education, and Youth, noted that these connections date back to 1726, when Canarian families helped found Montevideo—a bond that will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2026.
Beyond the official meetings, the fair’s educational workshops were a major success, with every session reaching full capacity. The program offered a mix of local and international expertise, ranging from traditional button-making taught by María Carmen Almenara Ramos to Colombian bead weaving by Edilson Tanigama and creative metal recycling by Chilean artist Pedro Roberto Lizana. Sustainability and textile heritage were also in the spotlight, notably through a masterclass on the Mexican rebozo led by Amparo Rincón.
The second day concluded with a tribute to Mexican culture, which has been a central theme throughout the weekend. Following the opening gala directed by Juan Carlos Armas, performer Óscar Encinoso took the stage to showcase classic Mexican songs, rounding out a program that also featured a traditional Day of the Dead altar.
To accommodate more visitors, the fair is adjusting its schedule for the coming days. From Monday, October 26, to Wednesday, October 28, the venue will be open in the afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Starting Thursday, October 29, through November 2, hours will be extended to run continuously from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring the same lineup of parades, workshops, and live demonstrations.