Author: ISABEL MARIA BOTIAS RUBIO

It's the end of the course and you want to give something original for your children's teachers. Your children are going on an exchange and you want to have a detail with the host family. A colleague is retiring and you want to give him something original. You need a detail for a wedding. You are going to visit your cousin in Australia and you want a detail of the Region of Murcia.

At the Regional Craft Centers we have a large selection of products to give away, all handmade by artisans from the Region of Murcia, with their own identity and artisan label.

What can you find in the Craft Centers?

• Author jewelery and costume jewellery.
• Bags and accessories.
• Artisanal food (cheeses, honey, salted meats, wines, beers).
• Blown glass and cut glass with a multitude of shapes.
• Pictures and postcards.
• Beach mats, t-shirts and garapas.
• Hand painted silk scarves.
• Hand painted fans.
• Traditional or creative ceramics with a multitude of designs.
• Nativity scenes from the Region of Murcia.
• Esparto articles.
• Wood details.
• Personalized gifts and many more.

We are waiting for you in

Murcia, Calle Francisco Rabal, 6. Phone: 968 35 75 37

Cartagena, Calle Honda, 10. Phone: 968 52 46 31

Lorca, Calle Lope Gisbert, 10. Phone: 968 52 46 31

And also online, www.artesaniaregiondemurcia.es

The Ministry of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, through the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, has convened the Regional Crafts Awards for the year 2023, which have eight categories and an economic endowment of 12,000 euros.

The awards are intended to be "institutional recognition at the highest level for those actions recognized as excellent and exemplary in the field of crafts, and to promote the development and competitiveness of craftsmen, companies, students and public and private entities or organizations to encourage innovation, design and the ability to adapt to the market in the world of crafts”, as stated in the call published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia (BORM).

Those interested in opting for these awards can present their candidacies until July 6. Applications that will be evaluated by a committee that will carry out a pre-selection. Subsequently, the selected applications will participate in a temporary exhibition at the Murcia Regional Craft Center so that citizens can vote for their favorites.

The eight categories of this edition are: Regional Craft Award, which recognizes the professional trajectory and the consolidated career of the craftsman, and has an economic endowment of 3,000 euros; Artisan Product Award, which recognizes artisan collections made and marketed in the last two years, has an economic endowment of 1,500 euros; and the Artisan Entrepreneurship Award, which recognizes those artisans with less than five years of experience who have introduced new concepts of design and innovation in crafts and is endowed with 1,500 euros.

Likewise, the Promociona Artesanía Prize for public entities, recognizes those entities or public organizations that present programs or campaigns to promote Crafts and do not have an economic endowment; the Promociona Artesanía Award for private entities, which recognizes those campaigns to promote crafts, has an economic endowment of 1,500 euros; the Belén Artesano Prize, for those nativity scene collections made in the last two years, with an economic endowment of 1,500 euros; and the Food Craft Award, where competitiveness and the final product are prioritized, endowed with 1,500 euros.

Finally, the New Artisan Talents Award is focused on students from any school or university in the Region of Murcia who study subjects related to crafts, it has an economic endowment of 1,500 euros.

More than 560 schoolchildren and 110 teachers from the Region of Murcia have participated in the regional phase of the 18th edition of 'Consumópolis', the school contest for responsible consumption, which this year has been held under the slogan 'On the Internet, do you do you believe everything you see?' to educate young people about the importance of responsible use of the Internet.

Thus, this edition has focused on the use that young people make of the Internet and the repercussions that their actions may have on the indiscriminate and uncontrolled use of the Internet. The first part of the contest, as in previous editions, has consisted of an online tour of the city of Consumópolis, where the participants have been solving various educational and playful tests.

The second part has consisted of the design, preparation and presentation of a work on responsible consumption, which has materialized in a video on the responsible use of the Internet in the school, family and social environment.

Schools from Jumilla, Cartagena, Alcantarilla, Abarán, Archena, Murcia, Lorca, Molina de Segura, Alhama de Murcia and Santomera have participated in this edition. Specifically, 113 teams have entered the contest: 31 teams from fifth and sixth grades of Primary (155 students); 47 teams of first and second ESO (235 students); and 35 teams of third and fourth ESO (175 students).

The Murcia Regional Crafts Center hosted this morning the award ceremony for the winners of the 18th edition of 'Consumópolis', in which the General Director of Consumer Affairs and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, participated.

The winners in the regional phase, according to their category, have been the teams 'Los Salchichas', from the Campoamor de Alcantarilla school (fifth and sixth grade); 'Artattackers', from the IES Floridablanca in Murcia (first and second ESO); and 'Los Plumbers', from the IES José Luis Martínez Palomo de Alquerías (Murcia) (third and fourth ESO).

The Consumópolis contest is carried out in collaboration with all the autonomous communities and the General Directorate of Consumption of the Ministry of Consumption. Through this contest it is intended to create responsible consumption habits and solidarity with the environment, while students learn and have fun.

The objective is to make young schoolchildren aware of the importance of responsible consumption and combining it with well-being and quality of life, both for them and for the people around them.

The winning contestants of this first regional phase opt for the national phase, in which they will compete with the winners of the rest of the autonomous communities.

The artisans of the Region of Murcia increased their sales in the Regional Craft Centers last March by 64 percent compared to the same month of 2022, reaching sales worth 31,433 euros. Specifically, the artisans made sales in the Regional Center of Murcia for a value of 11,222 euros; in the Regional Center of Cartagena for an amount of 14,091 euros; and in the Regional Center of Lorca for a total of 6,120 euros.

Thus, 45 percent of the sales made correspond to the Regional Craft Center of Cartagena; followed with 36 percent in the Center of Murcia and with 19 percent in the Center of Lorca.

On the other hand, the Murcia Regional Crafts Center hosted a series of children's workshops during Holy Week and the Spring Festival with the participation of some 100 boys and girls. The workshops, which took place from April 3 to yesterday, the 14th, in the morning and afternoon shift, have been attended by minors between the ages of six and 12, who have been able to enjoy creating their own artisan product, and from this way to develop your creativity during your school holidays.

The workshops held during Holy Week allowed the minors to learn how to make notebooks, do creative painting, as well as make figures of Nazarenes with cold porcelain. In addition, they were able to participate in pottery and basketry workshops, with the help of artisans Verónica Maccorin and Antonio Narváez.

As for those dedicated to the Spring Festival, which also included a workshop for making orchard motifs with cold porcelain, allowed the boys and girls to make leather key rings, get started in the world of macramé with the artisan Mercy, or participate in games of intellectual ability, among other activities.

The artisan Lidia Cassi presents her new collection of products with an itinerant exhibition in the Regional Craft Centers, called "Contrasts".

Lidia Cassi Gimeno is an artisan registered in the Artisan Registry of the Region of Murcia, with the registration number AI-0433, in the trade of painter-draftsman.

On this occasion, you can find both its star products, such as fans, meninas and bags, as well as the new ones made in epoxy resin, such as paintings, watches and mirrors, aimed at both the tourist who visits us and the regional citizens.

This exhibition can be visited in April at the Lorca Crafts Center, in May it will be moved to the Murcia Crafts Center, and will end in the months of June, July and August at the Cartagena Crafts Center.

The usual hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Exceptionally, the Lorca Regional Crafts Center will open its doors on April 6 (Holy Thursday) and 7 (Good Friday), 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This artisan also teaches a painting workshop every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Murcia Regional Craft Center, at a cost of €55 per month or €15 per session, with materials included. Registration: 968 35 75 37 or centroartesaniamurcia@salzillosi.com.

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at the Murcia Regional Craft Center, the General Director of Consumption and Crafts inaugurated the ceramic exhibition called "Boti-Art" by the artisan Verónica Maccorin, a passionate defender of the botijo .

For this exhibition, the artisan has designed 45 contemporary jugs to ensure that the use of this ancestral product is not lost and that it is incorporated as a utilitarian and decorative element, being a sustainable material that does not need energy to cool the water.

The first jug on the Iberian Peninsula was found at the Puntarrón Chico site in Beniaján, which is about 3,500 years old.

In addition, he exposes his new works where we can find the symbolic "Sailors and paparajotes" of our land in fountains, plates, pins and magnets, both products have recently been registered their image in the trademark and patent registry.

All products are for sale.

For this exhibition, the artisan has worked side by side with Lidia Piñero Carrillo, student and friend.

Verónica Maccorin Biasoli is an artisan registered in the Artisan Registry of the Region of Murcia, since 2005 in the trade of potter-ceramist. Every Wednesday afternoon he gives ceramic workshops at the Murcia Regional Crafts Center for the general public.

This exhibition is part of the program of the European Days of Crafts. You can consult all the programming on the web www.diasdelaartesania.es.

The Ministry of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, through the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, has programmed a series of activities to celebrate the 'European Days of Crafts', which are commemorated from tomorrow until April 3. Specifically, a total of 24 activities make up the program of actions, which includes free guided tours, craft workshops, live craft demonstrations, exhibitions, or open days at the Regional Craft Centers of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca. .

Thus, next week these open days will be held at the three regional craft centers, from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday , from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. As for the Murcia Regional Crafts Center, you can visit the exhibition of blown glass and artistic locksmithing by Flyppy, Regional Crafts Award 2022, called 'Elementos Escultoluminós'.

Also on the program are the inauguration of the ceramic exhibition by Verónica Maccorin 'Boti Art', on March 29, at 6:00 p.m.; a bread workshop given by Martín Máiquez, at the Gloria Fuertes school in El Palmar; four leather goods workshops offered by José Bielsa; or a pottery workshop for adults, led by Verónica Maccorin, among other activities.

In the case of the Regional Craft Center of Cartagena, you can visit an exhibition on beekeeping, 'Gimiele'; a sample of 'Jewelry with fire enamel on metal', by Pilar Sáez Rebollo; or attend a live demonstration of polymer clay, by Mónica Andrea Laura Cosma, on March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Finally, the Regional Crafts Center of Lorca will host an exhibition of painting on textiles by the artisan Lidia Cassi called 'Contrasts'.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, highlighted that “for a week these free activities will bring visitors of all ages closer to the sphere of craft creation. There will be seven days dedicated to this activity in which artists who wish to show their creations and share their work procedures with the public are invited to participate.

The 'European Days of Crafts' have their origin in 'Les Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art,' which has been organized in France by the Institut National des Métiers d'Art since 2002. Spain soon joined the project and both countries are the ones that They present a more extensive program of activities. This year, this party is celebrated simultaneously in 18 countries.

The Minister of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, Valle Miguélez, held a meeting today with the artisan associations of the Region of Murcia with the aim of addressing the actions carried out by the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts to promote the sector, as well as to analyze the recent call for aid for these associations.

Craft associations have until April 8 to submit applications for this call, which has a fund of 50,000 euros, and whose objective is to finance joint marketing plans, communication, awareness-raising, and actions to promote employment in crafts.

The call has four lines that have 12,500 euros each. One for the internationalization of the artisan company; another for regional craft shows; a third to promote regional craft centers, craftsmen's houses and the like; and a last one, so that the associations organize and carry out technical courses on artisan trades aimed at young people and students to promote employment in this sector.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Santa Lucía Association of Glass Craftsmen, the Totana Craftsmen Association, the Murcia Region Pastry Chefs Association (Arepa), the Lorca Craftsmen Association, the New Crafts Association, the Murcia Craftsmen Association, the Association of Businessmen Belenistas and Crea, and the Artisan Association of the Region of Murcia.

The Ministry of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, through the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia (BORM) the call for aid for artisan associations to finance plans for joint marketing, communication, awareness and actions to promote employment in crafts.

The aid, with a budget of 50,000 euros, is intended for non-profit artisan associations in the Region of Murcia that are made up of individual artisans and artisan companies. The deadline for submitting applications begins today and will be open until April 8. The request must be made through the CARM Electronic Office using procedure 1286.

The general director of Crafts and Consumption, Sonia Moreno, highlights that "these aids come to reinforce the policy on crafts that is developed by the regional government, focused on the promotion and development of craft companies to promote, put in value and communicate the quality of the artisan product of the Region of Murcia”.

The credit allocated to these grants will be distributed among each of the lines that make up the call. Thus, the 'Artisan Company Internationalization' line is endowed with 12,500 euros and through it the associations can promote participation actions of their associated artisans in national and international fairs that promote the professionalization of the artisan sector.

The line 'Regional Craft Shows' has a credit of 12,500 euros for artisan associations to organize and run regional craft shows in the Region of Murcia that mean an increase in the marketing of the craft sector. Likewise, another 12,500 euros are earmarked for the 'Promote Regional Craft Centers, Craftsmen's Houses and similar' line, to help associations organize events and exhibitions that communicate the new crafts to society.

Lastly, the 'Professional Courses for Master Craftsmen' helpline has 12,500 euros earmarked for associations to organize and run technical courses on craft trades aimed at young people and students to promote employment in crafts. These courses must be carried out by master craftsmen who train in craft techniques and in specialized Craft centers in the Region of Murcia that have the equipment, tools and means to provide the training.

On March 22, the jury will choose the best meatloaf and a tasting of the Murcian product will take place at the Murcia Craft Center

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, has presented this morning the call for the IV Regional Artisan Meat Pie Contest, organized by the Regional Association of Pastry Entrepreneurs of Murcia (Arepa) in collaboration with the General Directorate.

The objective of this contest is "to promote and highlight the importance of one of the most representative products of the regional salty pastry, but above all to promote its excellence and give public recognition to the pastry artisans of the Region of Murcia, who for centuries have been making this typical Murcian recipe”, highlighted Moreno.

Those pastry chefs who wish to participate in this contest can submit applications until March 21. To do this, they must be registered or in the process of registration in the Artisan Registry of the Region of Murcia in the pastry chef trade and be active at the time of the competition.

The contest rules and registration application can be downloaded at this link

• Application and bases of the IV Regional Meatloaf Contest and send it by email to contestregionalpasteldecarne@gmail.com

Next March 22 will be the day that the jury of the IV Regional Artisan Meat Pie Contest will meet to select the best artisan meat pie in the Region. The jury will be made up of qualified professionals from the sector who will assess the meat pies in a tasting that will take place at the Murcia Regional Crafts Center.

The product with the highest score will be recognized as 'Best Artisan Meatloaf 2023' and will obtain a trophy and a plaque for the winning establishment.

Later that same day in the afternoon, a tasting of the artisan meat pies made by the winners of previous editions will be offered, accompanied by craft beer and with a performance by a regional music group. "We hope that this event will increasingly recognize this Murcian product as a hallmark of gastronomic quality," Moreno added.

The regional craft centers in Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca managed to close 2022 with historical data in terms of sales of craft products. Thus, in total figures, their sales increased by 50.64 percent compared to the previous year, with 2022 being the year in which the most sales have historically been obtained, exceeding the pre-pandemic figures.

Specifically, the Murcia Regional Crafts Center increased its sales by 20.47 percent, with 75,204 euros; the Cartagena Craft Center, 57.37 percent, with 140,416 euros; and the Lorca Craft Center, 71.65 percent, reaching 78,410 euros in sales.

This is shown by the annual balance of the regional craft centers, prepared by the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, which also highlights that the month in which the most sales were registered was December, where a turnover of 39,384 euros was reached. .

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, positively assessed this increase and highlighted that "the work of artisans throughout the year is rewarded with these figures, because knowing that their effort and dedication gives rise to products that society demands It's quite a prize." "From the regional government we will continue to support the sector and help to be a showcase for artisan work," he added.

The regional craft centers sold products from a total of 138 artisans, a job that the more than 25,000 visitors they received last year were able to discover.

Specifically, the Murcia Regional Craft Center was visited by more than 6,500 people (45 percent more), the Cartagena Regional Craft Center had more than 5,200 visitors (93 percent more) and the Regional Center de Lorca received more than 13,300 visitors (135 percent more).

Statements by the general director of Crafts and Consumption, Sonia Moreno, on the regional craft centers

The Region of Murcia hosted on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the fourth national meeting of the Crafts Observatory, which was held at the facilities of the Murcia Science Park.

The Minister of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, Valle Miguélez, participated in the meeting, in which she highlighted the work of the Observatory, which "allows the sharing of experiences and collaboration strategies between those responsible for crafts from the different regions, establishing cooperation frameworks with entities of the national artisan sector and promoting crafts”.

In this edition, the meeting focused on the marketing of artisan products, on new consumption habits and on the circumstances of the global market with which crafts must coexist.

In addition to the technical meeting, the members of the Observatory participated in a round table made up of regional artisans of recognized prestige who presented their experiences in the field of marketing.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, also participated in the meeting, which is held every six months; the director of the Development Institute (INFO), Joaquín Gómez; the person in charge of Fundesarte, Silvia Martín; the director of the School of Mediterranean Industrial Organization, Fernando Garrido; the head of the National Reference Center for Crafts, Antonio Suarez; the president of Oficio y Arte, an organization of artisans in Spain, Lala de Dios; as well as its vice president, Félix Sanz.

The Murcia Regional Center for Crafts won first prize in the XIII Edition of the Comprehensive System of Spanish Tourist Quality in Destinations (Sicted) Awards, in the category of most competitive tourist service. On January 20, the Minister of Business, Social Economy and the Self-Employed, Valle Miguélez, received the award given by the Secretary of State for Tourism, together with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), within the framework of the Fair International Tourism Fitur.

Miguélez highlighted that "this award recognizes the quality of the tourist service offered to visitors by the Murcia Regional Crafts Center, the continuous improvement of its services, training, good tourist practices, the commitment to promoting local artisans and its products, good management and commitment to improving sustainability”.

Sicted's purpose is the integral and permanent management of quality in a tourist destination.

The Craft Center, managed by the General Directorate for Consumption and Crafts, has been part of the Sicted program since 2006. As a quality place, every year it carries out a detailed analysis of its activity and sets goals to improve itself the following year. In addition, it was a pioneer in participating in the pilot project of remote Sicted evaluations and obtained the Covid 2020 Good Practices Certificate.

The Murcia Regional Center for Crafts has won first prize in the XIII Edition of the Integral System of Spanish Tourist Quality in Destinations Awards (Sicted), in the category of most competitive tourist service. This award recognizes the continuous improvement in the quality of the tourist service offered to clients. The awards ceremony will be held on January 19, in Madrid, within the framework of the Fitur International Tourism Fair.

Sicted is a program developed by the Secretary of State for Tourism whose purpose is the integral and permanent management of quality in a tourist destination. The Crafts Center, which is managed by the General Directorate of Consumption and Crafts, dependent on the Ministry of Employment, Business, Universities and Spokesperson, has been part of the Sicted quality program since December 2006. Among other things, it has implemented good practices tourist and renews them annually.

The general director of Consumption and Crafts, Sonia Moreno, explained that "for the awarding of the prize, criteria such as the commitment to training, continuous improvement, participation in the activities organized by Sicted, involvement in bodies and entities have been evaluated. management, the use of local resources in the supply of products and services, and the commitment to improving sustainability”.

The Murcia Craft Center, which is 30 years old, allows you to buy any product made by artisans officially registered in the Craft Registry of the Region of Murcia, and also has online sales, through the web of Crafts. The Center also offers temporary exhibitions, guided tours, workshops and live demonstrations.

Thanks to his adherence to the Sicted project, every year he carries out a detailed analysis of his annual activity and sets goals to surpass himself the following year.

In 2020, the Murcia Regional Crafts Center was one of the pioneers in participating in the pilot project of remote Sicted evaluations and obtained the Covid 2020 Good Practices Certificate.

The Regional Center for Crafts today hosted the awards ceremony for the V Murcia Region Nativity Scene Contest, organized by the Directorate General for Consumption and Crafts in collaboration with the International Network Belencribs Association. In this edition, the winners have been: the Town Hall of Fuente Álamo, the IES Arzobispo Lozano de Jumilla, the Sacred Heart parish of Molina de Segura, the association El Buen Pastor de La Aparecida (Cartagena) and the Cuenca de Los Garres family (Murcia ).

The Minister of Business, Employment, Universities and the Spokesperson, Valle Miguélez, participated in the event and explained that "this event aims to promote and reward the craftsmanship of assembling the Nativity scene for Christmas, while disseminating and showing the tradition and work of the nativity scenes”.

On this occasion, prizes have been proposed for six different categories and 193 participants have presented themselves. Of these, 86 were individuals, 64 associations, 33 parishes, six educational centers and four town halls.

The jury was made up of the president of the International Network Belencribs Association, José Molero, and the experts in nativity scenes José Fructuoso Martínez and José Morales. When evaluating the works, they took into account aspects such as staging, perspective, lighting, the representation of places in the Region of Murcia and that the figures were made by regional nativity scenes.

The poet Carmelo Guillén Acosta and the director of the Salzillo Museum in Murcia, María Teresa Marín, participated in the awards ceremony, who gave a lecture on the Bethlehem.

Statements by the Minister Valle Miguélez on the tradition of the Bethlehem in the Region of Murcia.

The European Parliament will have a traditional Murcian nativity scene made by Jesús Griñán's workshop, thus becoming the first birth in the history of the European Parliament. The president of the Community, Fernando López Miras, will attend the inauguration on November 30 at the headquarters of this European institution created in 1952, coinciding with its institutional agenda in Brussels.

In order to select the origin of the nativity scene, and despite the fact that another origin could have been chosen, the Parliament has taken into account the great tradition of nativity scene crafts in the Region, which is valued as a national and international benchmark for quality and detail of his pieces.

This historic facility has had the endorsement of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola from Malta, and the regional government's goal is to maintain it in the future, as a consolidated tradition. Thus, in terms of decoration typical of these dates, the headquarters of the European Parliament has only had a Christmas tree up to now.

Regarding the choice of a nativity scene made by Jesús Griñán, this nativity scene master from the Murcian district of Puente Tocinos is one of the great references in the sector, with numerous awards. He began as an apprentice in 1952, and since then he has exhibited his works in countries such as the United States, Japan and France. The work chosen for the European Parliament is two meters high and recreates a Bethlehem portal with the Holy Family and the Three Wise Men, as well as the architectural remains of a traditional Murcian Baroque church and the Murcia Cathedral.

Work schedule in Brussels

In addition to the inauguration of this nativity scene in the European Parliament, President Fernando López Miras will also have an intense work schedule in Brussels where, among other issues, he will speak at the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.

Likewise, he will meet with the permanent representative ambassador of Spain to the European Union, Marcos Alonso, and will hold a meeting with the Spanish delegation of the Committee of the Regions.

López Miras's institutional agenda in Brussels also highlights the meeting he will hold with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, where he will be able to address the situation of the sector in Spain and the Region of Murcia, as well as the different actions that the European Union is taking place in this matter.