"Violas da Terra" bearing national and European GI certification
Lisbon
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
The "Violas da Terra" (traditional Azorean guitars) are the Region's first handmade product among Portuguese handicrafts bearing a Geographical Indication (GI) certification, with production recognised throughout the national and European territory.
The certification ceremony took place on Monday at the Traditional Portuguese Cordophones Forum. The was event organised by a.Certifica as part of the International Craft Fair - FIA Lisboa and was attended by Maria João Carreiro, Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment.
José Agostinho Serpa, from the island of Flores; António Mota, from the island of Terceira; Hugo Raposo, from the island of São Miguel; and Raimundo Leonardes, from the island of São Jorge, are the first "Violas da Terra" artisans to receive the GI certification sign.
On the occasion, the Regional Secretary responsible for "Azorean Handicrafts" stressed the importance of this certification for the "protection of 'Violas da Terra' craft know-how," as their certified production will now be restricted to the territory of the Azores and certified Azorean artisans.
"The GI certification of craft products is important to us as it guarantees the quality, reputation and differentiating characteristics of products, which now have the historical value of their art and the quality of their production acknowledged on national and European territory," she said.
The certification of "Violas da Terra" with the GI sign "is a responsibility and an opportunity for artisans," she continued.
GI certification benefits include, for example, the protection of intellectual property rights, safeguarding the authenticity of products and promoting the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
GI certification also contributes to the preservation and promotion of craft products whose production is linked to a specific geographical area and to greater profitability and attractiveness for traditional craft occupations, creating incentives for the manufacture of quality products.
According to Maria João Carreiro, "the handicraft sector in the Azores is going through one of its best periods," praising the work of the Crafts and Design Centre of the Azores (CADA) in bringing artisans and Craft Production Units closer to a "public service designed to boost the sector."
José Wellington Nascimento, author of the Technical Specifications for the certification of "Violas da Terra," also took part in the certification ceremony.
The ceremony ended with a performance of "Ilhas de Bruma" by José Agostinho Serpa, on "Viola da Terra," and Azorean singer Mariana Rocha.
