Havana International Craftwork Fair Fiart 2016 Begins

HAVANA, Dec 7 (PL) The 20th International Craftwork Fair of Havana Fiart 2016 began today in this capital, with the participation of 100 artisans from Asia, Europe and Latin America, and more than 500 local artists.

Fiart 2016 will be devoted to textile handicrafts and dedicated to the central southern province of Cienfuegos, which stands out for this particular kind of handicrafts, including the traditional guayabera shirt.

In the opening ceremony, the president of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets (FCBC), Arturo Valdes announced, on behalf of the organizing committee that the event would be a homage to the historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, who fostered an inclusive cultural policy that allowed craftwork development.

The exhibition center Pabexpo, in the western are of the Cuban capital city, will welcome for the first time exhibitors from Portugal and Haiti, who will join those from countries that usually participate, such as Argentina, China, Korea, Ecuador, Italy, Canada, Venezuela, Spain, India and Peru, with the most important representations among foreign guests, which will occupy 77 stands.

Cuba will participate with 26 institutional stands and 243 individual stands, according to the organizers.

Fiart 2016’s collateral program will include exchanges among suppliers and exporting companies, especially with executive officers from Habanos Ltd, to which artisans provide the necessary humidors for its cigar productions.