Handicraft fair August 15-19 bigger, better than ever

By: Marijulia Pujol Lloyd

If you want to discover the essence of Panama in a single place, you should go to the 30th Annual Handicraft Fair which will take place at Atlapa Convention Center, August 15 to 19. The fair offers handicrafts from all parts of the country, troupes of folkloric dancers and authentic Panamanian food and drink.

The General Director of Handicraft of the Ministry of Commerce, Marta Irene Bosa, said that the aim of the fair is to commercialize, promote and exhibit native handicraft so that Panamanian culture can be better appreciated throughout the world.

Panamanian crafts are much sought-after abroad for the quality and originality of the items. The craftsmen use all kinds of materials such as fabrics, seeds, shells, stones and wood. The molas,(reverse appliqué needle work made by the Kuna Indians), woven baskets and taguas (ivory nuts carved into miniature sculptures) fetch high prices in Europe and the United States.

Many foreign businessmen attend the fair to establish direct contact with the craftsmen and buy their artifacts. In 2006 the artisans received orders worth $100,000 for future purchases.

Marta Irene Bosa, National Director of
Handicrafts, poses with some of the best
tagua (ivory nut) carvings chosen during
previous fairs.

Last year around 33,000 people went to the fair and the organizers expect to exceed that number in 2007.

Around 468 artisans will exhibit and sell their wares this year. They are classified by province and ethnic group. Also around 35 businesses will have stalls in the lobby. Other events include costume and master-craftsman competitions, fashion shows and the first children contest of décimas (folkloric singing improvisation). There will be a greater number of folklore performances than in previous years.

The fair will honor the "tipico" accordionist songwriter, Osvaldo Ayala, for his contribution to the Panamanian culture and the First Lady of Panama, Vivian de Torrijos for her support to the handicraft sectors, specially the rural women.

The opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The cost of the tickets is: $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children and retirees. Children that come in school uniform from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will only pay fifty cents.