December Shines with the 26th FIART International Crafts Fair 2024

Under the theme Art, Utility, and Craftsmanship, the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets (FCBC, known by its Spanish acronym) will host the 26th edition of the FIART International Crafts Fair 2024 from December 6 to 22 at the Pabexpo fairgrounds in Havana, Cuba.

At a press conference, Marta Ivis Sánchez Ortiz, Director General of FCBC, emphasized that FIART 2024 seeks to deliver a meaningful message to both Cuban and international visitors. The fair will offer not only high-quality cultural and utilitarian goods but also the opportunity to enjoy diverse cultural services.

This year’s edition will feature 274 exhibitors, including 27 international participants from Colombia, Mexico, India, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Representing Cuba, 247 exhibitors will participate, including 133 creators and 20 institutional stands showcasing products from every province. Key partners such as the Recordings and Musical Editions Company (Egrem) and the ARTex Marketing and Production Company will also be present. Additionally, 92 private-sector entities that participated in previous editions will join the fair.

The sale of products at the fair will be exclusively in CUP (Cuban pesos), Sánchez Ortiz stated, adding that online payment options will be available. To assist attendees, a Customer Service Office will be set up at Pabexpo to address concerns, complaints, and suggestions.

Throughout the event, the FCBC, in collaboration with the Cuban Association of Artisans and Artists, will offer workshops on crafts, manual skills, and techniques. These sessions will include topics such as art appreciation, doll-making, papier-mâché, and crochet. “These workshops will provide attendees with valuable tools to enhance their knowledge,” explained Surnai Benítez Aranda, a specialist in the FCBC Development Directorate.

One notable highlight will be a panel discussion on the TelArte project, involving artists and textile workers from the Desembarco del Granma collective in Villa Clara province. The initiative, revived in recent years, aims to promote the preference for authentic Cuban textiles through unique designs. The panel will culminate on December 13 with a theoretical session and a fashion show featuring designs debuted in July during ExuberArte, the artisanal fashion celebration held in Santa Clara.

In addition to this runway event, the fair’s cultural program includes other showcases, such as a collection by renowned designer Mariela Alemán, who recently wowed audiences in Mexico. Matanzas-based designer Alexander Rodríguez will also present his work, reflecting a fusion of tradition and modernity.

FIART 2024 will open to the public starting Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free for children under 12, pregnant women, and adults over 65. For others, entry will cost 50 CUP.

For Marta Ivis Sánchez Ortiz, the International Crafts Fair FIART 2024 represents more than an exhibition; it is a platform for promotion, cultural exchange, and educational opportunities. “It is a space to honor the master artisans who have brought us to this point in the world of craftsmanship,” she stated.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez