Tenerife to Host 1st International Lace Conference in 2025
Tenerife will host the 1st International Lace Conference in October 2025, bringing together experts from Europe and Latin America to discuss and preserve this intricate art form.
Tenerife is hosting the 1st International Lace Conference from October 22nd to 25th, 2025. The event is organized by the Island Craft Company of Tenerife, which runs the Ibero-American Craft Museum of Tenerife (MAIT).
The conference will take place at the Príncipe Felipe Theater in Tegueste and the Hotel Nivaria in La Laguna, with support from both city councils and the International Center for Heritage Conservation (CICOP).
The aim is to create a space for discussion and sharing ideas about lace in all its forms – historical, cultural, and artistic. It will cover all aspects of this ancient craft.
Experts from Europe and Latin America will come together to share their research, experiences, and projects related to lace. They will also discuss new ways to protect, preserve, and promote it.
Lace, which was originally used to decorate churches and religious clothing, later became part of traditional outfits and footwear. Today, it's highly valued in fashion and accessories.
This intricate art is now receiving renewed recognition. Lace from places like Lepoglava, Pag, and Hvar in Croatia, and Alençon in France, has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This shows how important this craft is to global culture.
Lace is also a key part of the Canary Islands' identity. "Openwork" and "Rosette" lace, recognized as Assets of Cultural Interest by the Canary Islands government, are important expressions of the islands' heritage. They represent the patience, beauty, and creativity passed down through generations.
The conference will feature specialists, researchers, and artisans from Europe and Latin America, who will share their work in four main areas.
The program will include presentations on needle laces from the Americas, such as La randa tucumana from Argentina, Los deshilados de Aguascalientes from Mexico, El Ñandutí from Paraguay, Rosettes and Openwork from Cuba, and Soles de Naranjito from Puerto Rico. From Spain, there will be mesh lace from Luanco, Asturias, and other lace varieties from the Museum of Arenys del Mar in Barcelona. Croatia will also participate with its Motivis lace, as well as lace from Burano, Italy.
A special focus will be given to Canarian Openwork and Rosette lace, which are important symbols of the islands' cultural identity. Their inclusion in the conference highlights the skill of local artisans and the role of lace as a link between tradition and modern times.
The conference aims to become a leading international event for preserving and promoting lace. It will encourage collaboration between institutions, researchers, and artisans. It will also explore new challenges and approaches to ensure this tradition continues to thrive and is passed on to future generations.
More than just an academic event, the conference is a celebration of living heritage, inviting everyone to continue weaving history with thread, needle, and creativity.