More than 55,000 people visited this year’s Tricontinental Craft Fair in Tenerife, with over 10,000 turning up on the final day alone.
The eighth edition came to a close on Monday after ten days of activities. Sunday’s rain caused a few changes to the programme, but the postponed workshops, masterclasses and live performances were all squeezed into the final day.
Music played a big part in the closing celebrations. Littus performed at 1pm, followed by La Parranda Chasnera at 5.30pm. The event finished with a tribute to Venezuelan bagpipes by Gaitas Pa’ Vos, directed by Danny Martínez. The main stage was packed for the performance.
Efraín Medina, the Cabildo’s councillor for Employment, Education and Youth, thanked the organisers and everyone involved. He said the programme had been designed with families in mind, while also bringing attention to traditional crafts that are being revived.
There was plenty going on for visitors wanting to have a go themselves.
Workshops included traditional fish-scale techniques with Portuguese artisan Sofia Colejo, while local instructors María Candelaria Acosta and Francisca Afonso demonstrated traditional garment patterns. Tenerife artisan Maru Pacheco ran a paper and cardboard workshop for families.
Other sessions covered Mexican catrina figures with Laureano Martínez, filigree techniques with Macedonian artisan Katarina Doda, palm crafts with Antonio Rodríguez Ruiz and Mexican basketry with Javier Hernández.
That’s quite a range of skills and traditions packed into one event, and clearly there was no shortage of interest.
With this year’s fair now finished, the Cabildo is already looking ahead. Puerto Rico has been announced as the guest country for the ninth edition in 2028.