English 
Português 
Deutsch 
Español 
A pair of shoes in 'Madeira Embroidery' won 2nd place at the International Handicraft Fair.
It was in the category of "best contemporary handicraft" that the creation of the Madeiran craftsman, Duarte Rocha, managed to climb the podium and get the "silver medal" at the International Handicraft Fair (FIA), which took place between June 24 and July 2 in Lisbon.
To do this, the craftsman was inspired by the world-famous "Madeira embroidery", and instead of making towels or clothes, where this traditional Madeiran haute couture is usually found, he applied the technique to a pair of shoes. The result was so successful that it surprised the general public, who in turn distinguished the work of the Madeiran, rewarding him for his innovation and distinctive quality.
The honourable mention awarded to the craftsman Duarte Rocha was possible because the municipality of Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island, set up a stand at the fair, taking four local craftsmen with them. The result was the "silver" that came to the Pearl of the Atlantic. It was an investment that gave prestige not only to Madeiran craftsmanship, traditional confectionery, regional rum, basalt stone sculptures, and bota-chã (a traditional boot worn by the Madeiran people for decades), but also handmade footwear with the innovation of Madeira Embroidery. The latter is currently facing some challenges in terms of sustainability, precisely because there are fewer artisans (mostly women) engaged in embroidery.
