President Cortizo Cohen inaugurates the XLIII National Fairy of Crafts in Atlapa

• The head of the executive emphasized that this fair offers the artisan an a place for the sale, rescue, promotion and visibility of their work while contributing to the reactivation of the artisan sector.
• The event, which runs up to Sunday 30 July, will have more than 30 daily artistic performances, training and conference

The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, opened the XLIII National Crafts Fair, which this year takes place in tribute to the dances and expressions of Corpus Christi, with the participation of more than 400 artisan from the country, at the Atlapa Convention Center.

The ruler stated that the National Crafts Fair is an important event that offers the artisan proposals produced in the different communities of a multi-ethnic and pluricultural town such as Panama.

"It's good to have this experience again that allows people and tourists to come and get to know, admire and acquire the great pieces that come from the competent hands of Panamanian women and men dedicated to crafts," said Cortizo Cohen.

He emphasized that this is a great opportunity for more than 400 artisan who come together at Atlapa for four days to put their works and highlight the value of our country's cultural expressions.

He added that the National Crafts Fair 2023 represents for the artisan a space for the sale, rescue, promotion and visibility of his work and thus contributes to the reactivation of the artisan sector as a source of income for Panamanian families.

Giselle González Villarrué, Minister of Culture, expressed his gratitude to the representatives of national crafts for the hours spent, for his dedicated and dedicated commitment to our roots. "Handicraft friends, the work of your hands tells the history of our culture," she stated.

"With encouragement, commitment and the greatest confidence, we are here with a team that accepted the challenge of regaining an nested space in memory. We are dedicated to serve them, to guide them, in the most humble sense, so that the 2023 experience will be unforgettable and will lead a path, a school of life and relations of co-existence," added the Minister of Culture.

During his opening event, President Cortizo Cohen gave the San José Medal to the artisan Edgar Castro Castillo, with whom we pay tribute and recognition to the path of the artisan teachers who have added outstanding value to the techniques and teaching of this art.

Edgar Castro Castillo, Maestro Artesano 2023 expressed his gratitude for his distinction and expressed that "this medal does not only represent an accomplishment but also symbolizes collective efforts and collaboration, that they are reminders that together we can achieve the greatest goal and create a positive impact on our communities, countries and the world."

Castro Castillo took this opportunity to thank the National Government "for being the first time that they have been given dignified care" with accommodation and food during his stay in the capital city. "It's the first time we have been worthy of sleep as we have been worthy of them," Castro said.

Additional to the sale of crafts from all regions of the country, the fair, up to Sunday 30 July, will have more than 30 daily artistic performances, training, international conference and a cultural tidal with presentations from the National Ballet and the Youth Cores and Orchestra Network.

This year, under the first organisation of the Ministry of Culture, the fair includes new initiatives, such as "tour" guided by three tours, Diablo Clepio, Diablo Sucio and Zaracundé and a pavilion of artisan experiences where the attendees can manufacture their own crafts, guided by the experienced hands of the artisan.

The opening event was attended by ministers and deputy ministers of state, the Governor of Panama, Carla García, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of international agencies, sponsors of the fair and national Government authorities.