Artisans from all over Panama will exhibit and sell their wares at reasonable prices during the fair beginning on May 27
At least five hundred artisans will show their craftsmanship at the XXXII National Handicraft Fair, held this year from May 27 to 31 at the ATLAPA Convention Center in the capital city under the motto "Amemos lo nuestro"(Let´s love our creations).This traditional fair has grown year by year since its beginning until becoming one of the most important fairs in Panama. It attracts many tourists who take advantage of this opportunity to buy souvenirs at reasonable prices. They also get artistic pieces that reflect the Panamanian tradition and culture preserved since the pre-Columbian period by the Indian people of seven ethnic groups that represent 10% of the total Panamanian population of 3.3 million.
Pieces derived from colonial periods such as the women´s national costume and skirts are exhibited and sold along with pottery, gold or silver work, fabrics made of thread and straw, and leather pieces. In addition, there are handicrafts made by Kuna and Emberá Indians who offer "molas" (intricately stitched clothing designed with bright colors), as well as wood and vegetable ivory carvings of the seed of the Tagua tree).
The "molas" are made by the Kuna women. This type of decorative clothing has figures of animals from Panama, geometric symbols and signs from the mystical world of this group that live in three regions: Kuna Yula on the Panamanian Caribbean coast that borders Colombia, in Wuargandi (northwestern section of the Darién province) and in Madungandí in the northeastern section of Panama province.
Artisans are distributed in small exhibition stands on the internal terrace of the ATLAPA Convention Center around a platform on which they perform folkloric presentations and Panamanian typical music and dance interpretations to entertain visitors.
In addition there are restaurants offering Panamanian food. Some of the tasty dishes are: delicious "sancocho" (chicken soup), African American rice with coconut, "carimañolas" (made of fried and mashed yucca with meat filling), "hojaldre" (fried wheat flour pancakes) sweet Panamanian "bielmesabe" with a milk base, maize liquor, resbaladera or chicheme (drinks with milk and corn), rice and chicken, kebobs, potato salads among a great variety. The last fair was held from June 30 to August 3, 2008 at the same location. There were 475 exhibitors and their participation implied an investment of about $250,000. As indicated by the Handicraft Office of the MICI (Panamanian Ministry of Trade and Industries) which was the sponsor of the fair, sales nearly reached $1 million, 25% more than the previous year.
According to the MICI, "this fair is vital to keep our traditions and culture alive. In addition, it has become a suitable setting for Panamanian artisans to show their work and sell their products."
As indicated by the Ministry, the work of the DGAN (Department of National Artisanship) seeks to improve substantially artisans´ quality of life and preserve native culture expressions by shielding their essence from foreign influences from Panama´s geographic location, since it serves as a transit country.
Getting there:
To get to the ATLAPA Convention Center, if staying in the capital city, it is a short taxi cab ride since the building is in the suburb of San Francisco on Vía Israel, a main highway of the city. The taxi will charge about $1.25, depending on the distance from where it is taken and the number of passengers.
Admission for adults is $2.00 and for retired people and children under the age of 10, entry is $1.00.
