REGALARTE with handmade products made using different artisanal techniques such as foot-loom textiles, backstrap looms, leather products, blown glass, wood, beads and precious metals. REGALARTE, the first handmade gift fair in Guatemala, organized by the AGEXPORT Handmade Commission. This fair is opened with the purpose of being a gift option with impact for national and international corporations and Guatemalan families. It will take place from Thursday, October 5 to Saturday, October 7, at the AGEXPORT Trade Center, open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free entrance.
Promoting a culture of responsible production and purchasing in the search for a sustainable future is one of the objectives for which the Handmade Commission of AGEXPORT launched the first edition of REGALARTE, a space that seeks to bring SMEs closer with the consumer, to raise awareness and build a culture of consumption of sustainable products within the framework of these end-of-year festivities, thus promoting the sustainable growth of artisans and craftsmen.
“People who visit the Regalarte fair will have the opportunity to see and select products from more than 40 different SMEs that work with handmade products. The companies that are participating have been prepared with special, unique collections, with modern and trendy design and high quality, including: flavorings, vases, items derived from wood and leather, centerpieces, placemats, napkin rings, cups, cushions , hammocks, lamps, as well as fashion products: clothing, necklaces, bracelets and leather bags, natural and blanket fibers, as well as coffee and artisanal honey.”, mentioned Jorge Papadópolo, President of the Regalarte Organizing Committee.
According to Papadópolo, the experience at REGALARTE will be completely sustainable, given that they will have Christmas packaging available or for any occasion they wish, with sustainable products and, of course, handmade. Among the companies, artisan associations and producer organizations that will participate in REGALARTE are: Pilandros, Casa de los Gigantes, Hasta el Cielo Store, Wakami, Decoración Antigua, Chi Luisa, Hamacas Paradise, Miscelanea Sheyla, Pro Resilencia, Itza Wood, UPAVIM, IXOQI, The Handmade Lab, Etzbal, Natural Art, Enzavor, Mixku, Alisa Handmade, Jardines de Provenza and Guaterroir, among others.
Learn about the success stories that you will find in REGALARTE
As part of Regalarte, the AL-INVEST Verde program, financed by the European Union, will announce the five best success stories of the Handmade Sector under the vision of sustainability, given that they comply with Component 1 of the AL-program. Green INVEST, which focuses on promoting sustainable growth and job creation, with actions that seek to guide small and medium-sized companies to adopt less polluting and more efficient products, processes, and services.
“The importance of having a company that promotes sustainable growth lies in its ability to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in a balanced way. These companies, Mayu, Benam & Co, Tuly, Laynex and Muun by GNG, are agents of change that recognize that long-term prosperity depends on the preservation of natural resources and the way they do business,” said María Pacheco, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the AGEXPORT Handmade Commission.
Regalarte has a pavilion with collections of artisanal products and honey
The Pro-Resilience project, led by the World Food Program and supported by the European Union, is also present at Regalarte, offering collections of artisanal products and honey from artisans in the country’s dry corridor.
Another collection of artisan products is present, within the framework of the Women’s Economic Empowerment component of the Tejiendo Paz project, which is financed by the United States Agency for Development -USAID-.
Likewise, the Women Exporters Committee will support MSMEs led by women with handmade products and artisanal chocolate from different regions, to strengthen their commercial capabilities and for the economic empowerment of artisans linked to these value chains.
“We expect more than 500 people to visit. We are sure that you will be satisfied with the products you find. Supporting the purchase of Gifts with Purpose becomes a powerful instrument to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and communities. By adopting this approach, the conservation of natural resources is promoted by prioritizing the creation of durable and high-quality items, as well as directly supporting SMEs that contribute to improving the income of thousands of artisans in the country, Papadópolo concluded.
