The Ministry of Culture officially introduced the XLVI National Crafts Fair, to be held from July 29th to August 2nd at the Atlapa Convention Center, under the motto "Ancestral Know-how," becoming the main display of Panamanian crafts and the largest national meeting of bearers of traditions.

During his press conference at the City of the Arts, Minister María Eugenia Herrera emphasized that the fair was one of the most important cultural events in the country, bringing together the talent, creativity and legacy of hundreds of artisans from all provinces and comarcas.

The Minister announced that, for the first time in the 46 years of the fair's history, 677 artisan will participate, occupying all of the spaces of the Atlapa Convention Center, making this issue the largest one to date.

"The National Crafts Feria enlarges our cultural identity and energizes the economy of those who have been keeping our traditions alive," stated the Spanish Cultural Section, emphasizing that crafts represent the memory, identity and maintenance of hundreds of Panamanian families.

The National Director of Handicrafts, Alhis Diaz, presented the main details of the event and shared an emotional message in which she recalled that she was the son of a handicraft, an experience that deeply marked his life and his commitment to the sector.

Diaz emphasized that this year the fair incorporates important innovations, including the launch of the first official website of the National Crafts Feria, from where the public will be able to get to know the artisan offer before, during and after the event, to have access to live transmissions, to practically conduct an interactive map and to place them directly, thus strengthening their promotion and commercialization.

He also reported that new spaces will be established with the participation of the City of Arts and the Centre of Art and Culture at Colón, as well as the area of "Artisanal Experiences," where master artisans will share with them their knowledge inherited from generation to generation.

Another of the advances announced was the modernisation of the registration and organisation processes of folk dressmaking competitions through a digital system, making them more transparent, agile and efficient.

The artistic program was presented by Folklore's national director, José Alberto Sosa, who reported that during his five-day fair an extensive cultural agenda will be developed with the participation of more than 40 artistic and folkloric groups a day, as well as more than 5,000 dancers, who will fill with music, dance and tradition the scenarios of the main feature, located at Atlapa Island, and La Huaca Theater.

Sosa emphasized that planning has been designed to offer a representation of cultural expressions from all regions of the country, with pride for Panamanian traditions.

The master of art 2025, Gloria Lina Hernández, also participated in the conference, where she shared a message about the importance of preserving and passing on traditional knowledge to new generations.

He also referred his experience representing Panama at international stage - Turkey and Barbados - as part of his responsibility after receiving his highest artisan distinction from his country, emphasizing that Panamanian crafts are a valuable cultural heritage recognized both within and beyond our boundaries.

During the fair, the public will find an extensive offer of mobles, pines, ceramics, chaquiras, tagua carved, cutarras, textiles, traditional clothing and other artisan expressions made by Panamanian hands, along with gastronomic samples, family activities and cultural presentations.

Also as part of the program will be developed the traditional competitions of the fair, including the Camisilla contest, Highlights Crafts, Reina Artesanal, Polleres with Labour and Folk Indumentaria contest, spaces that recognize the excellence, creativity and preservation of the Panamanian cultural heritage.

The fair will open its doors from Wednesday, July 29th to Sunday, August 2nd, from 10: 00 a.m. to 10: 00 p.m. The entrance cost will be B / .3.00 for the general public, B / .1.50 for retirees and students while children under 12 will be entered free of charge.

The Ministry of Culture invited the whole population and foreign visitors to enjoy the largest and most innovative edition of the 2026 National Crafts Fair, a celebration that recognizes the work of those who keep their national identity alive through their hands and their ancestral knowledge.