Azorean Handicrafts at largest craft fair in Iberian Peninsula - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Azorean Handicrafts are being promoted at the International Handicraft Fair – FIA Lisboa, the largest handicraft fair in the Iberian Peninsula, which opened on Saturday at the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) in Parque das Nações, Lisbon.

Lúcia Linhares, Vanda Melo, Isabel Silva Melo, Cláudia Furtado, Adolfo Mendonça, Sofia Afonso, and Adelaide Costa are the “ambassadors” of Azorean Handicrafts until Sunday, July 6, at an international event that attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Isabel Silva Melo and Adolfo Mendonça, both working in ceramics and already distinguished at this event, are competing for the FIA 2025 Award in the Traditional and Contemporary Crafts categories. Adelaide Costa, working with plant fibres, and Cláudia Furtado, working with whale bone and wood engraving, are competing for the first time.

The Azorean Handicrafts stand is located in the pavilion dedicated to national handicrafts, alongside the main entities operating in the craft sector, such as the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP), CEARTE and municipalities from across the country that promote their craft productions from a cultural and tourist standpoint.

The Azorean stand, which is part of the usual exhibition of "Azores Brand" certified food products, is notable for its size, the local materials used in its construction, and the festive atmosphere that welcomes visitors and promotes the Region's rich cultural heritage.

In this context, nine Senhor Santo Cristo ‘registos’ (representations) are on display at the Azorean Handicrafts stand at FIA-Lisboa. They stand out for the exuberance of the floral compositions and the materials used, such as fish scales, corn husks, silkworm cocoons, beads, and a wide variety of paper and fabrics.

FIA-Lisboa is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the exhibition closes at midnight.