The 2024 edition of the Congress of the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC) will be held in Caldas da Rainha and Alcobaça, announced today the Portuguese Association of Ceramic Cities and Villages (AptCVC).
The congress, initially scheduled to be held in South Korea, “now has a new host: Portugal”, announced AptCVC, adding that the event will take place between 16 and 20 September next year.
Citing a statement from the Academy, the Portuguese association adds that Caldas da Rainha and Alcobaça, two cities “with a strong identity and tradition when it comes to ceramics”, were chosen to host what is considered “one of the largest events in the world in this area”.
The 51st edition of the congress will have as its theme “Ceramics in the Mediterranean Countries” and will give special emphasis to tiles, “mirror of Portuguese culture”, says the AIC statement.
AptCVC and the organizing authorities will also host two exhibitions: one dedicated to Portuguese ceramics and one dedicated to the theme of the congress. According to the information provided by AIC, the congress will include activities such as a visit to Lisbon, to know the National Tile Museum and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and the realization of two routes, “a ‘pre-tour’ and a ‘post-tour’, where the objective will be to explore the special connection to the ceramics of several cities”, such as Reguengos de Monsaraz, Redondo, Barcelos, Mafra and Aveiro.
The congress will also be held in a hybrid format, allowing the opportunity for face-to-face and online participation.
It will also be the stage for the General Assembly of the academy, open to the participation of members from any part of the world, said the AIC.
IAC was founded in 1952 with the aim of stimulating international cooperation between professionals in the field of ceramics in several countries.
It brings together ceramists, designers, collectors, gallerists, conservatives, restorers, curators, as well as a panel of institutions linked to the sector.
The academy holds the international congress biennially, which includes a conference focused on a specific theme, national and international exhibitions and support for private initiative by galleries and other cultural spaces. AptCVC consists of 22 Portuguese municipalities, with the founders in 2018, Alcobaça, Aveiro, Barcelos, Batalha, Caldas da Rainha, Ílhavo, Mafra, Montemor-o-Novo, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Tondela, Viana do Alentejo, Viana do Castelo and Vila Nova de Poiares.
In 2020, Oliveira do Bairro and Porto de Mós were admitted as new members, followed by Leiria and Condeixa in 2021.
In 2022, the municipalities of Estremoz, Fundão, Loures and Vila Real joined the association. These municipalities encompass the main ceramic centers, in most cases, characterized by a strong ancestry and ceramic tradition.
