1st "EL BRUJO" HANDICRAFT TOURISM FAIR: An unforgettable cultural gathering

Last July 28 and 29, thanks to the organization by the Operations Directorate of the  El Brujo Archaeological Complex (CAEB), the  "1st El Brujo Handicraft Tourism Fair" was held. This event was developed in co-creation with the participants of the Tourism Talks promoted by  the Wiese Foundation and the CAEB. This fair as originated as a result of a training process initiated at the beginning of 2023, aimed at tourism service providers and artisans of Magdalena de Cao.  

In January of 2023, the El Brujo Archaeological Complex presented its project to the community of Magdalena de Cao, called "Tourism Talks", in line with the new definition of museums: 

A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution at the service of society, that researches, collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. With the participation of communities, museums operate and communicate ethically and professionally, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge-sharing (ICOM, 2022). 

This definition invites the community to which the museum belongs to integrate itself into the experiences offered and the cooperative work, for the benefit of society, made up of both local residents and visitors. In this context, the Talks were aimed to strengthen knowledge and sensitize the participants about the tourism experience. 

In that sense, the fair became a venue where the visitors had the opportunity to explore closely the artisanal and tourist work of the entrepreneurs of Magdalena de Cao. Through interactive activities, the visitors assumed leading roles by recreating artisanal tasks such as textiles and cabinetmaking. They also explored basketry and the production of One-Year Chicha, which they had the pleasure of tasting. In addition, they enjoyed the possibility of participating in raffles to get free transfers from the Museum to Magdalena. Of course, the experience would not be complete without the exquisiteness of the marine gastronomy of Magdalena de Cao. There were demonstrations and revelations about the preparation, followed by the opportunity to savor these culinary delights. 

To accompany them, we had the participation of the artistic cast "Talentos de Cao", a work developed in tandem also in Magdalena de Cao. This project is aimed at local children who, through music and theater workshops, presented the staging of "The Lady of Cao and lunar animals". 

Undoubtedly, the links forged with the community through these joint projects generate multisectoral benefits, both for the local inhabitants and for El Brujo. These ties strengthen the connection of the archaeological site with the community, promoting a living culture and the permanence of its cultural, artisanal and tourist traditions associated with the evocation of its millenary past. 

For that reason, we invite you to be part of our 2nd El Brujo Handicraft Tourism Fair, which will take place on October 1st! In this event, you will have the opportunity to explore and be part of the artisanal and tourist endeavor of Magdalena de Cao, an unforgettable experience! 

Learn more about the 1st El Brujo Tourism Fair 2023, in this video: