Cabildo allocates €100,000 for the 37th Island Handicraft Fair

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura is contributing €100,000 to the 37th Island Craft Fair, which will take place from May 7 to 10 in Antigua. The funding is essential for organizing an event that will host more than 200 artisans from across the island.

Funding and Organization

In the final stretch of preparations, the agreement enables the celebration of a fair that is recognized both island‑wide and regionally. The event is jointly organized by the Municipality of Antigua and the Colectivo Mafasca.

Commitment and Awards

Both Cabildo President Lola García and Crafts Councilor Lolina Negrín emphasized the institution’s commitment to the fair. Over the past three years, the Cabildo has doubled its contribution, reaching the current €100,000, to:

• Promote and commercialize Majorero handcrafted products.
• Disseminate the knowledge, techniques, and skills that constitute Fuerteventura’s cultural heritage.

They also congratulated goldsmith and jewelry artisan Bernhard Glauser, who received the 2026 Island Craft Award for three decades of dedication. His works capture the island’s scenic charms and striking contrasts.

“It is important to spread the values of our traditional hat‑making, which is part of our identity, and each piece displayed represents the talent and dedication of our artisan sector,” said Lolina Negrín.

Cabildo Stand

The Crafts Council is finalizing its institutional stand, this year dedicated to traditional Majorero hat‑making. The exhibit will showcase:

• Selected pieces from the Cabildo’s ethnographic collection.
• Hats crafted by students of the traditional hat‑making course within the EnRedArte program, highlighting the revival and valorization of this historic craft.

Fair Programming

The fair’s program also includes the presentation of the inventory and cataloguing project of master cabinetmaker José Melián Martín. This initiative, coordinated by conservator Lorenzo Mateo Castañeyra, aims to valorize Melián’s legacy and preserve his contributions to the island’s artisanal heritage.