Panama City, August 2, 2025. - "Artesanal Experiences," one of the most visited and significant spaces at the XLV National Crafts Fair, located at the Tapices area at the ATLAPA Convention Center.

That "Experiences Pavilion" brings together bearers of ancestral knowledge from across the country: native peoples, communities of African descent and mestizo traditions, who share their knowledge through interactive workshops and live demonstrations.

The assistants can learn technologies such as milling mud pieces with pre-Columbian art, billing of fibres and traditional beamed cesteria, production of molas and winis guna, wounaan body painting, naso wood carving, seatskin work, congo devil's masks, bri bri beet, ngäbe buglé pumpkin carving and cultural interpretations of durags and Afro-descendant turbants.

Instead of an exhibition, these experiences create a bridge between generations, enabling visitors to not only observe but also get involved in the creative processes that keep the traditions of the country alive.

"It's a space for all of us to connect with our roots and understand that every handmade piece is a carrier of history, identity and future," emphasized the National Handicrafts Section of the Ministry of Culture, an organisation of the fair.

Norma Dickson, goldsmith: "I did great. I have six contracts established for convention and, for me, this fair is spectacular."

Rolando Marín, an artisan of the Bribri culture (Bocas del Toro): "I work with the carving of totumas and wood as well as with jewelry: necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I also manufacture products derived from cocoa, such as chocolate and cocoa butter, as well as baskets such as motor.

It's important for us to Visibilize our products to all people who visit us. Reaching here and exposing what we bring is significant both to the country and to those who see us. We conduct a 12 hour tour and an additional hour to get from the comarcas. "

Joskar De Gracia, an artisan from the province of Colón: "Indumentary Clothing of the Devil congo from the province of Colón. The experience has been wonderful and I hope to be able to repeat it every year of my life as long as I have health and disposal. It's something that gets deeply excited. We need more fairs and that will facilitate our access to schools to teach them our traditions."

Daniel Murillo, an artisan of La Arena (55) "The experience of teaching the public has been wonderful. They come and take with them the piece they have made and that gives them a special value. In town we are very few artisan who continue to work these techniques. We continue to paint as our ancestors did and we are doing what makes us Panamanian and that fills me with pride."