AZORES | Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change promotes 5th Festival of Natural Fibres in Furnas

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, opened today the 5th Festival of Natural Fibres taking place in the old orchard of the thermal springs of Furnas Lake, São Miguel Island.

Alonso Miguel stated that it is “an event organised in the context of the Furnas Ecological and Landscape Recovery Project, designated as Furnas LandLab, with the reintroduction of wicker in the Furnas landscape, namely in the water lines, to sustain the soil and control erosion.”

“This Festival intends to promote and revive regional handicrafts using natural fibres as raw material, to promote direct contact between artisans and participants, showcase the natural fibres used as well as their processing techniques, arouse interest in craft activities and disseminate this extraordinary orchard,” explained Alonso Miguel.

The Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change stressed that “the old orchard of the thermal of Furnas Lake, which is part of the São Miguel Island Nature Park, contains some of the plants from which the fibres used as raw materials for the production of these handicraft pieces, namely wicker, New Zealand flax and corn.”

“This festival runs for three days. Today’s session includes morning and afternoon workshops with guest groups that will open to the general public,” he emphasised.

The Regional Secretary for the Environment highlighted the “participation of a group of children from the Furnas Free Time Occupation Centre and a group of people with special education needs from the Seara do Trigo Association, as well as the participation of artisan Bento Silva, who will work with the New Zealand flax leaf, and artisan Alcídio Andrade, who will work with wicker.”

“The opening to the public will take place at the weekend and with free admission for those wishing to participate in the event and visit the orchard. There will also be workshops with the guest artisans and an exhibition featuring several small and large wicker pieces made by the artisan Bento Silva,” added Alonso Miguel.

The Secretary for the Environment also took the opportunity to thank the participation of the guest artisans and to praise the relevance of the event, considering the “relevance for the community, both in terms of cultural entertainment and its educational aspects.” It is based on the expression of Azorean identity and tradition, with the promotion of handicraft production that must be preserved. In fact, this is an event that emphasises the cultural awareness of our islands and the preservation of our traditions, always in harmony with the sustainable use of local natural resources.”  

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU