The Vice-Presidency of the Government promotes, through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA), the third edition of PRENDA festival to be held November 26-29 at "Pavilhão do Mar" in Ponta Delgada.
During the event, which is intended to stimulate the promotion and sale of traditional and contemporary Azorean crafts, there will be several activities and workshops planned for children in various areas, including "registos," nativity scenes in "lapinha" (sea-themed nativity scene) and corn leaf techniques. Furthermore, the event includes exhibitions and workshops on contemporary ceramic pieces, bulrush, embroidery with gold, illustration with fish scales, cake design and stamps.´
The PRENDA III features fifty craft production units from across the country, which will allow an exchange of experiences and knowledge among artisans.
This festival will highlight a display of works in vegetable fibres, namely basketry, rug making, wicker weaving, headgear and dolls.
The exhibition aims to highlight the certification of the works in plant fibres as members of the collective brand of origin "Crafts of the Azores," awarded in October. It recognises a traditional production associated to the rural and domestic life that has retained its relevance over the centuries, becoming inseparable of the Region's history and its people.
CRAA will launch during the festival a "Christmas kit," an initiative under the "Azores in a box" project, in order to reach new audiences and promote the recovery, revitalisation and assertion of Azorean handicrafts as a certified and genuine product.
The festival's programme also includes shows featuring Celina da Piedade and Sara Cruz as well as the performances of Santo Aleixo Puppets and the Theatre of Évora Drama Centre; the latter will also conduct a workshop on rod puppets and the construction techniques.
The PRENDA festival will be open to the public from 5-11 PM on November 26 and 27, and from 2-11 PM on November 28 and 29; admission is free.
Those interested in participating in the workshops should make their registration until November 25 at CRAA or at the administrative section of the festival.