The Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA), promotes the 7th edition of the Azores Handicrafts Festival - PRENDA, which takes place in Ponta Delgada until December 8.
 
PRENDA presents a vast programme of craft proposals, featuring more than 20 activities designed to rethink crafts traditions, materials and techniques, in addition to shows, talks and workshops; admission is free.
 
In its seventh edition, the festival showcases the best of traditional and contemporary handicrafts through the talent of more than 60 artisans living and working on the nine islands of the Azores.
 
For the first time, this event will take place in two venues:  the CRAA   headquarters until Wednesday, December 4, and the Sea Pavilion from December 5 to 8.
 
The talks are the main novelty of this edition. They will be held at the CRAA premises with the aim of promoting the reflection and dialogue on handicrafts, through the presentation of several Portuguese projects that have contributed to a new perspective of handicrafts in our country.
 
In this context, CRAA will present the book "Tecelagem dos Açores - Contornos Insulares" (Azorean Weaving - Island Contours) and the "Grandma came to work in the Azores" project will launch its first collection of works for sale at the "Azores in a box" shop at CRAA.
 
Besides the market, the festival will host several workshops for adults and children at the Sea Pavilion.
 
This year, also for the first time, the school goes to PRENDA under the scope of Roots -Educational Projects for the Azores Handicrafts, an initiative aimed at the dissemination of the most typical and representative craft areas of the Azores among young people.
 
The PRENDA festival also includes shows by the Mandrágora, Fértil Cultural and Jangada Teatro Theatre Puppet companies, a commented concert by Rafael Carvalho and a parade featuring “Mais Maior Grande Dom Roberto,” which will be accompanied by the bass drums of Santa Bárbara Ribeira Grande Rhythms Association.
 
Those interested in participating in the workshops should register at the CRAA by telephone 296 309 100 or at the email [email protected].
 
The Regional Centre for Handicrafts is open to the public until December 4 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
 
At the Sea Pavilion, the festival will be held on December 5 from 3 pm to 11 pm, December 6 from 6 pm to 11 pm, December 7 from 2 pm to 11 pm, and on December 8 from 2 pm to 9 pm.