Invited once more to be present at this international event, the Aldeias do Xisto network was represented by L4Craft – Local for Craft, a project bringing together and evoking the identities of four places in the Aldeias do Xisto. At the invitation of ADXTUR, the Consul General of Portugal in Stuttgart, José Carlos Arsénio, was also present at this year’s EUNIQUE, providing formal support to the presence of the Portuguese brand.

Rui Simão, coordinator of ADXTUR - Schist Villages Tourism Development Agency, emphasises that “this is a source of great pride for the Aldeias do Xisto but also for Portugal. This is one of the most significant international events in the field of design and applied art, especially relevant to us and the skills we have, particularly in craftworking. Being present for two consecutive years raises brand awareness and recognition of the Aldeias do Xisto, and consequently of Portugal, at the highest international level.”

At this year’s edition of EUNIQUE those involved in the Aldeias do Xisto programme focused on the project L4Craft - Local for Craft, inspired by four locations in the Aldeias do Xisto, representing the brand’s four territories, and the combination of two craftspeople and their respective techniques:

1. CERDEIRA, Lousã, Serra da Lousã
   Kerstin Thomas (Wood) and Vasco Baltazar (Ceramics)
2. JANEIRO DE CIMA, Fundão, Zêzere
   Casa das Tecedeiras (Weaving) and Nuno Alves (Wood)
3. BENFEITA, Arganil, Serra do Açor
   Steffi Kohne (Manual Felt) and Mónica Faverio/Sérgio Lopes (Glass)
4. FOZ DO COBRÃO, Vila Velha de Ródão, Tagus/Ocreza
   Patrícia Gorriz(Jewellery) and Carlos Neto/Ana Lousada (Ceramics)

For the ADXTUR coordinator, “the L4Craft project - Local for Craft is demonstratingthe identities of the places that Aldeias do Xistowant to bring together so as to assemble their local know-how and crafting skills, reflective thinking and project design methodology, to produce objects that explore universal sensibilities and, through them, transport the observer to a place that is tangible and experiential.  Each of the objects in this project stems from knowledge and resources from singular places that issue a challenge for everyone to belong.”

The Aldeias do Xisto are treading a path driven by the vision that handicrafts combined with design methodology and inspired by a geographical area can express identity and carry universal meaning. This language, both penetrating and interpreting these locations, is what can transport memory into a cultural dimension that is utterly contemporary. It provides affirmation of times gone by - deeply connected to nature - in the present day.

KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH, WE MUST APPLY;
WILLING IS NOT ENOUGH, WE MUST DO – GOETHE

For João Nunes, coordinating designer of this project,“the field of work that we deal with is our own culture, our existence, the ground we walk on, which feels the changes of time to which we must adapt to survive. The work is based on defining parts of our daily lives through the making of meaningful artifacts. L4Craft aims to perceive the essence of places through the five senses and observe the features that have outlined its character as the top priority for future works.”

The Aldeias do Xisto stand at EUNIQUE exhibited items from the four local projects so that visitors might get to know this initiative and the locations through interpretation of their narratives using new technologies with images and texts representing the places in question, along with the most remarkable moments of immersion and inspiration for the makers and designers, their creative processes and, finally, the making itself.

EUNIQUE - International Fair for Applied Arts & Design is one of the most important and well-known international craft fairs, and is the only one in Europe exclusively focused on art and design. Consisting of about 300 exhibitors, 29% of which are international, EUNIQUE stands out due to its quality and diversity, given that the pieces emanate from various fields such as fashion and jewellery, but also because both interior and exterior design are exhibited. Only unique pieces and limited editions will be on display at EUNIQUE, all selected beforehand by a prestigious international jury.