Do you know how long it takes to make of one those cute Canarian hats called a ‘sombrera’?
“About 5 days” says Hortensia Pérez Abreut.
Hortensia has been chosen as the as 'Artisan of the Year' by the Cabildo’s department of Trade and Industry and the Artisans of Lanzarote.
She was born and still lives in Los Valles in the Teguise municipality, Hortensia is a self-taught 'sombrera' maker. All of her life she has been creating mainly Canarian hats using different types of palm leaves and straw, but also mats, baskets, handbags, purses and souvenir-sized little reproductions.
The tribute to Hortensia will take place on Friday, September the 13th, at 19.00 pm on the centre stage of the covered courtyard at this year's Craft Fair. She has participated in the fair herself for many years, showcasing her handmade and authentic items. A well deserved nomination, me thinks.
She taught herself as a child by dismantling a hat and before remaking it for one of her rag dolls.
"It takes many hours and hard work, she explains, to make a ‘sombrera’. From preparing the palm, opening it with a needle, braiding it and then sewing it into shape. It takes fourteen sets of braids to make one hat. It takes about five days to finish it, being industrious and without loosing too much time sleeping ... "
I genuinely never thought it was so much work to make these. Like she says, “they’ll always be cheap because their price will never reach its real value”. Very wise words, something original, handmade and that represents the traditions of the local people, it is, indeed, priceless.
For these, and many other local traditional and modern crafts, don’t forget to visit the Mancha Blanca’s Craft Fair. This year’s 25th edition take place between the 12th and the 15th of this month.
Related Information: