Madeira Embroidery and Handicrafts Return to Vila do Conde
Madeira embroidery and regional handicrafts were present at the Vila do Conde Feira Nacional de Artesanato (National Handicraft Fair), between the 24th of July and the 8th of August 2010, organised by the Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato, da Madeira, IP..
This presence was coordinated by the Instituto do Vinho, do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira, IP (Madeira Wine, Embroidery and Handicraft Institute - IVBAM), represented by Bárbara Spínola, from the Promotion Division. Representing regional handicrafts was a Madeira embroidery company, João Eduardo de Sousa, Lda., and two artisans, João Maurício Vieira Gomes, who fashions traditional dolls, earrings and miniature basket-cars, and João Ferreira, who makes Vilão (Villager) boots. The event occupied a privileged space in a vast garden area in the centre of the town of Vila do Conde, estimated at around 11.000m2, and boasted the presence of about two hundred artisans, a large section of whom demonstrated their expertise and the most varied expressions of craftsmanship live - from ceramics to wickerwork, from musical instruments to shepherd art and from embroidery to bobbin lace – representing the entirety of Portugal’s regions. Over the past year, they have received over 400,000 visitors, making Vila do Conde the meeting point for a great celebration of Portuguese craftsmanship.This event was brought about in the framework of the Projecto de Promoção do Bordado Madeira e do Artesanato Regional (Madeira Embroidery and Regional Handicraft Promotion Project) as part of the INTERVIR+ Programme, and arises following participation in last year's edition, when it became evident that this fair, aimed at the general public, gives visitors opportunities to get to know Madeiran regional products face to face.
