The Regional Secretary for Youth, Professional Qualification and Employment highlighted on Wednesday, in Ponta Delgada, the importance of holding the “Expo Açores – Artesanato” within the scope of the resumption of economic activity, also of great relevance for regional artisanal companies.
“This event represents an important milestone in the process of economic recovery, assuming itself as a platform of excellence for the enhancement and promotion of regional handicrafts, with a view also to its regional development”, highlighted Duarte Freitas on the sidelines of the session opening of the “Expo Açores – Artesanato”, which runs until December 5th, at Pavilhão do Mar, in Ponta Delgada.
This is the first post-pandemic in-person initiative in which the Government of the Azores, through the Centro de Artesanato e Design dos Açores, which succeeded the Centro de Artesanato dos Açores, has organized.
The additional application phase for the Incentive System for the Development of Handicrafts of the Azores (SIDART), exclusively to support the participation in this exhibition, which took place from October 18th to 30th, the artisans responded with great participation.
“Given the great difficulties caused by the pandemic, we decided, at the right time, to support not only the participation of artisans, but also to pay the costs of travel, transport of products and accommodation of artisans who traveled from the other islands to participate in this initiative”, stressed Duarte Freitas.
On the other hand, the government official reiterated the payment, until the end of the year, of all support under SIDART, with an advance for 2022, to face the difficulties of the artisans.
The “Expo Açores Artesanato”, which has free entry, includes 62 exhibitors, of which eight from the artisanal food area are certified by the brand “Marca Açores”, 15 certified by the brand “Artesanato dos Açores” and 39 stands with a considerable diversity of artisanal products , from the most traditional to the contemporary and innovative ones, where Christmas motifs gain special prominence.
The event envisages the holding of ‘wokshops’, moments of gastronomic tasting and a diverse set of entertainment activities, both inside and outside the venue, with the main goals being the enhancement and greater visibility of regional crafts, being, still an opportunity to boost the sale of products.
As part of the revitalization process of handicrafts in the Azores, which should translate into greater dynamism that can contribute even more to its growth and profitability, the “Expo Açores – Artesanato” will tour all municipalities in the Region, in 2022 , the digital catalog will be launched and the promotion and sale of Azorean handicrafts on digital platforms.
The event will be open to the public from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm, on December 1st and 4th, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on December 2nd and 3rd, and from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm on December 5th.