The booth of the municipality of Yaiza at the Lanzarote Craft Fair features this year a score of products made entirely by hand. These items have been woven by students from the empleita workshops promoted by the City Council, with the goal of preserving traditional techniques that risk being lost without institutional support.
Hats, baskets, cheese molds, placemats, and mats decorate the municipal stand. These pieces are a tribute to the tradition and the effort of the residents of Yaiza who dedicate time to learning and practicing the technique under the guidance of artisan Yolanda Torres.
“"We are very satisfied with the development and reception of the empleita and rosetas workshops in our cultural centers, as it is the best way to ensure that people of different ages drive generational succession."
The Mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, who attended the fair's inauguration, highlighted the positive reception of the workshops. Meanwhile, the Councilor for Culture, César Rijo, noted the students' strong interest, with many continuing to meet after each cycle to further refine their empleita and rosetas techniques.
The fair also honors the careers of local artisans such as Tino Alemán, a potter with 40 years of experience and an Adoptive Son of Yaiza, and Pancho Ortiz, a creator of wooden pieces and a nativity scene artist. Both have their own stands at this 37th edition of the fair.
The City Council encourages residents to visit the Craft Fair at the Mancha Blanca esplanade until September 15th, reminding them that each artisanal piece requires days or even weeks of dedication.
