The Feria de Carrizo in San Juan Guelavia is one of the great success stories of the last few years and today was the opening of the 2018 version. Several years ago, maybe a few hundred people showed up, today, thousands were there and I was there early. Carrizo is a bamboo-like grass that the people in the village make into all sorts of things, baskets being the most common.
I think only seven families continue the tradition of working with carrizo, but they all must be pretty happy today as sales looked like they were really good.
And it's possible that more people are returning to the art as the feria becomes more and more successful. Clearly, the village realized its potential and they constructed a covering over the zoccalo, arranged for lots of parking, offered lots of food and presented a mini-guelaguetza, featuring lots of the regional dances. Watching little girls dance the flor de piña dance was so sweet.... but more on that later. The stars of the show were the artesanos who worked with carrizo.
It was so nice to see items created by the students of the village. Maybe some will continue the tradition for years to come.
Some of the masters...
Years of experience...
And some with a bit less
Look at this very cool garafon (water bottle) arrangement.
And these lamp shades.
The whole thing repeats next Sunday, be there or be square...
And there is also a rodeo all week.
2 comments:
Hola Chris, Muchas gracias por los fotos tan bonitos!...y toda la informacion! Please let me know, if possible, if the festival in San Juan Guelavia will be on through Sunday, February 4.
Is it held the same week each year? Many thanks, Eshkie
Yes, it will be happening on Sunday, Feb. 4, but not every day this week, only Sunday.. I don't know if it is the same days each year... probably not.
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