The councillor for handicrafts, Gelen Delgado, took part in the inaugural International Congress on the Artisanal Processes of Talavera ceramics from Puebla and Tlaxcala in Mexico, and those from Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo in Spain. This gathering was designed to share experiences and initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting this traditional craft.
During her speech, Delgado highlighted the actions undertaken by the local council to promote Talavera ceramics, including the CeramiTUR tourism programmes, cultural weeks, artisan routes, and workshops. She also emphasised international collaboration with the South Korean city of Anseong and announced Talavera's participation in the International Fair of Jingdezhen in China, where 48 pieces from 18 local workshops will be showcased alongside five Talavera ceramicists.
The congress featured contributions from Fernando Portela García, a historian and expert in cultural management and heritage, who discussed the recovery of the ceramic sector and its national and international projection, underscoring the value of heritage as an economic and tourist driver. Additionally, Francisco Javier Gil Fernández, a jurist and historian, examined the relationship between ceramics, literature, and tourism through the Paseo de las Letras project, which combines ceramic murals with literary authors.
From a professional perspective, Roberto Perea, president of the Regional Federation of Artisans of Castilla-La Mancha, and Gustavo del Pino, president of the Provincial Federation of Artisans of Toledo, presented the current state of the sector, its main challenges, and initiatives to ensure the continuity of traditional crafts. Mónica García del Pino, a ceramist and owner of Cerámica San Ginés, shared her 30 years of experience in the sector and her involvement in international projects, including the creation of the world's largest ceramic mural located at the Convention Centre in Oran, Algeria.
Delgado emphasised that protecting ceramics involves not only preserving traditional techniques but also supporting artisans, raising awareness of their work, and generating new opportunities through culture and tourism. She highlighted the importance of international cooperation to strengthen cultural ties and ensure the continuity of this heritage, which was recognised by UNESCO in 2019.
The congress will feature a second part, where Alaría and Cristina Ceca from Artesanía Talaverana will share their professional journeys, and Pilar Campillejo will explain how the application for the recognition of the artisanal processes of Talavera ceramics as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO was developed.
For those interested, the congress will be streamed live on Facebook starting at 10 a.m. local time in Mexico.
