Artisan Fair 'Original' Boosts Tourism Ahead of World Cup

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Los Pinos Cultural Complex is hosting 'Original: Encuentro de Arte Textil, Decorativo y Utilitario,' a special edition featuring around 515 artisans from all over Mexico. The event showcases a diverse array of handcrafted items, including textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and works made from plant fibers, highlighting utilitarian and decorative art forms.

Running until June 7, this year's 'Original' is larger than previous editions, encompassing a broader range of disciplines and a cultural festival. Attendees can enjoy musical and dance performances, oral storytelling, traditional cuisine, and workshops for all ages. In a unique addition, a football pitch has been set up to coincide with the World Cup, adding a festive atmosphere to the event.

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This is the first time we've done a combined event. The one we did last June only had decorative art, now it's much bigger, there's textile art, but there are no fashion shows, what there is are a lot of events, programs in workshops, there's another type of offering and so we'll see how the public responds.

Marina Núñez Bespalova, undersecretary of Cultural Development and general coordinator of 'Original,' noted that this is the first combined event of its kind. She explained that while previous iterations focused solely on decorative art, the current edition is significantly larger and includes a wider variety of programs and offerings. Organizers are keen to observe public engagement with this expanded format.

'Original' serves as a vital platform for artisans, providing them with the means to earn enough to sustain themselves throughout the year, reinvest in their production, and return for subsequent events. The event is promoted by the Secretariats of Culture and Tourism and is also featured in the official World Cup tourism app. Núñez Bespalova expressed optimism that the influx of tourists visiting Mexico for the World Cup, including those not attending matches, will also visit the cultural complex. Promotional efforts have included outreach in multiple languages to embassies.

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We are just a week before the World Cup because we estimate that many people will come during these days, who are not necessarily going to the matches, but who come to discover Mexico. So, we hope they will accompany us too.