From 3 to 6 September, the 5th edition of FIADA – the International Fair of Handicrafts, Design and Other Arts – took place at the Jardim das Artes in Covilhã. This event was organised as part of the Action Plan for Covilhã, a UNESCO Creative City in the field of Design, with the aim of highlighting, promoting and raising awareness of craftspeople and their work.

Caldas da Rainha, a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts, was once again invited to take part in this event, and was represented by the ceramicist Monique Gaia. Her creative process is deeply connected to the raw material, as she collects the clay directly from nature. Each piece emerges from a balance between intuition and technique, becoming an extension of her artistic vision.

Ceramicist Sílvia Jácome was also present with the exhibition ‘O Fio do Barro’26’, the result of the artist-led residency she organised, in which she combined ceramics with textile art.

Caldas da Rainha’s participation was further marked by a visit from the Councillor for Culture, Conceição Henriques, who attended the event, reinforcing the ties of collaboration between the UNESCO Creative Cities.

FIADA thus reaffirmed its role as a space for meeting, sharing and celebrating artistic and craft creation.