The International Craftworks Fair (FIART by its Spanish acronym), now in its 17th edition, again grab the attention of all those interested in manual arts and excellently-made cultural offerings by assuming this year an ambitious program of activities which will accommodate products from almost every corner of the globe in its exhibition and sales areas.
From December 6 to 22 the San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress, in Havana, will host the largest craft show of the year in Cuba thanks to the efforts of various institutions of culture and the interest this sales opportunity arouses in Cuban and foreign artisans attending the event.
In the opening speech of the event, Jorge Alfonso Garcia, director of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets (FCBC by its Spanish acronym), said that this edition is not only the largest of to date, but also the one that best expresses the richness of current Cuban creation.
The FCBC managers, FIART major responsible, told OnCuba that this year’s event core will be the Expo selling in 355 stands, 69 of which are foreign shows, where more than 250 Cuban and 71 foreign craftsmen from 16 countries, figure lower than the previous edition, mainly due to a more rigorous and selective curatorship, will feature their products.
The foreign presence is guaranteed by the participation of artists from Peru and Spain, as the most represented nations (31 and 11 exhibitors respectively), Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Italy, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria, the latter participates for the first time.
FIART 2013 will be devoted to Pinar del Rio, Cuban westernmost territory and owner of a major craft production, mainly related to the tobacco industry, so a universe of excellent pieces on the subject will be displayed.
The audience attending the fair can also find proposals by EGREM, ICAIC, Genesis Gallery, and the ALBA Cultural Fund, which will present a sample of the most representative feature in handmade creation of the countries comprising this political -economic project.
ARTEX will also be present, with all its business lines, including Arte en Casa, Coral Negro, the studios ABDALA, QUITRIN and PRELASA (ARTEX office in Mexico attending the appointment for the first time with crafts from that country).
One of the great attractions of the trade fair it is without doubt its cultural program, which this year proposes the usual fashion shows, workshops, CD and audiovisuals presentations, and concerts, which will be divided between the moats and the Saint Francis square of the aged fortress, at different times.
The first ones, always from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, will feature performances by Ray Fernandez, Luna Manzanares, César López and Habana Ensemble, Pedro Calvo, Bony and Kelly, Gretell Barreiro, Emilio Morales, among others.
While those performing in Saint Francis square, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, will be Qva Libre, Eliades Ochoa, David Alvarez and Juego de Manos, Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, Ernesto Blanco, Karamba, Ivette Cepeda, David Torrens, and Arnaldo y su Talisman.
The children will also enjoy, also in the moats, the performance by La Colmenita Theatre Company, a festival of clowns and other recreational options.
After the Fair, important space for the promotion and marketing of artisanal creation, the FIART 2013 awards will be granted in recognition for lifetime work, Best Exporter and different categories including the best stands, products, furniture and fashion shows.
