Between 31 July and 9 August, the 43rd International Handicrafts and Ceramics Fair took place in Barcelos, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. It is one of the most iconic and long-standing national events dedicated to handicrafts and ceramics, which continues to establish Barcelos as a national and international benchmark in the promotion of traditional craftsmanship.

For ten days, the City Park hosted a wide-ranging programme of entertainment, culture and tradition, bringing together craftspeople, potters, associations, producers, folk groups and thousands of visitors. More than just an exhibition, this is a space where generations, cultures and forms of knowledge come together, reinforcing Barcelos’s identity and its national and international standing as a UNESCO Creative City.

The international dimension of the exhibition was once again highlighted by the participation of UNESCO Creative Cities such as Caldas da Rainha, Castelo Branco, Covilhã and Manises, strengthening the bonds of cooperation between regions that share a commitment to promoting crafts, ceramics and traditional arts.

Caldas da Rainha was represented by the ceramicists Mafalda Balona and Afonso Mota. Mafalda Balona bases her work on the ‘verguinha’ technique, whilst Afonso Mota specialises in figurative work; both reinterpret these traditions through a contemporary approach, which is so characteristic of Caldas da Rainha’s ceramics.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)