The town hall of Elche has unveiled the third Footwear Week, an initiative strengthened by a partnership between the local council and the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (AVECAL). This event aims to celebrate and promote one of the city’s most iconic and vital industries.
Samuel Ruíz, the councillor for Economic Promotion, emphasised that “talking about footwear in Elche is talking about identity, history, and a legacy built on the effort, talent, and innovation of thousands of professionals and families.” He highlighted the dual purpose of the event: to showcase the excellence of local companies and to bring professional, creative, and technological opportunities closer to the youth.
Event schedule
The activities will take place from 19 to 26 October, featuring various cultural and educational events across the municipality.
- Monday, 19 October
- 19:00 | Cultural Centre Clarisas: Opening of the exhibition “Elche Fashion Shoes” featuring 28 brands and companies showcasing their latest offerings.
- Visiting hours: Monday from 16:00 to 20:00; Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00. The exhibition will move to the Hermitage of San Crispín from Sunday, 26 October.
- 20:00 | Congress Centre (Auditorium): San Crispín proclamation.
- Tuesday, 20 October
- Congress Centre (Room Ternari and Auditorium): Presentation of AEC Trends.
- Wednesday, 21 October
- Congress Centre (Room 1): Practical workshop for students from local secondary schools, introducing them to professional opportunities in the footwear and leather goods sector, in collaboration with IES Sixto Marco.
- Participants will enjoy a hands-on workshop where they will learn basic techniques and create their own piece to take home.
- From Thursday, 22 October to Monday, 26 October, students will have immersive experiences at local footwear companies to learn about their daily operations.
- Saturday, 24 October
- Morning (11:00 to 14:00) | Paseo de Jaca: “Calz-Arte”, a cultural initiative by Fine Arts students from IES Misteri d’Elx, featuring live music.
- Evening (20:00) | Patio de Armas: “Elche Fashion Shoes” runway show, showcasing proposals and trends for the Winter 2026 Collection from 18 local companies.
- Sunday, 25 October
- Relocation of the exhibition: The “Elche Fashion Shoes” exhibition will move to the Hermitage of San Crispín.
The town hall expressed gratitude to AVECAL, participating brands, educational centres, and all groups involved in making the event possible, inviting the community to engage in activities that rediscover a sector integral to the essence, present, and future of Elche.
