Over 170 artisans from across the Canary Islands are set to gather this weekend at the Pinolere Ethnographic Site for what has been described as the “mother of all fairs,” as noted yesterday by Efraín Medina, the Councillor for Economic Development of the Cabildo de Tenerife, during the programme launch at La Orotava Town Hall.
The 39th edition of the Pinolere Craft Fair commences this Friday, 6th September, and will run until Sunday, 8th September, focusing on traditional games and toys from the Canary Islands. Entry to the fairgrounds is priced at 3 euros.
The minister emphasised the necessity for public administrations to assist the crafting sector “so that it can thrive and continue to progress,” citing the efforts made by the Pinolere Cultural Association over nearly 40 years as a prime example.
Medina was joined by the mayor, Francisco Linares; the president and manager of the aforementioned Association, Leoncio Luis and Jesús García, respectively; the neighbourhood council delegate, Yurena Luis; and the director of the Cajasiete office, Pablo Ascanio.
The formal inauguration is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., attended by regional, island, and municipal authorities. During this event, the Cho Feriantes de Honor 2024 awards will be presented, along with the XXI Villa de La Orotava Crafts and Heritage Award, which this year will be granted to the cultural group La Escalera.
From Friday afternoon through to the weekend, both adults and children will be able to partake in an array of activities, including exhibitions, book launches, a national gathering of the game of palo, workshops for children and educational purposes, tributes, a folkloric twinning, tastings, and gastronomic initiatives.
Jesús García highlighted the commitment to public transport services for attendees, providing a free bus service that will depart every hour from the centre of La Orotava, specifically from Avenida Sor Soledad Cobián. He also underscored the key exhibitions featured this year, such as Wire Crafts by Néstor Pérez González; Traditional Games and Toys of the Canary Islands, presented by the Cultural Collective La Escalera; The Canary Stick Game by Fejupal; and ‘Do we sing or pray here?’. The latter is an exhibition concerning the Rancho de Ánimas de Tiscamanita, a group with 224 years of heritage from the Majorero municipality of Tuineje, who venture out each December 7th, the eve of the Immaculate Conception, performing their musical selections and the steward repeating the ritual in front of each home in the community: ‘Do we sing or pray here?’.
This group will be acknowledged during the Fair, including a performance by those travelling from the island of Fuerteventura for this occasion.
“This weekend is an opportunity for families to enjoy the culture and identity games and sports of the islands along with the delectable local cuisine available at traditional taverns,” the manager stressed.
The mayor commented that this fair “honours” the craftsmanship of the artisans and possesses a cultural, familial, educational, and pedagogical essence.
Recognition of the Silver Medal for the Cultural Association
Looking ahead to next year’s 40th edition of the Fair, Mayor Francisco Linares announced yesterday the City Council’s intention to confer the Silver Medal to the Pinolere Cultural Association in 2025 “to acknowledge their contributions over the years.” He added that “it is the foremost fair, receiving support and international recognition, currently organised in the Canary Islands. Celebrating forty years is no incidental matter; it embodies hard work and dedication,” he stated. In this context, Efraín Medina also praised the efforts of “the army of individuals” who have made it all possible.