On the occasion of the European Crafts Days, the Andalusian Regional Government has awarded the Master Charter of Crafts and the Craft Quality label to María Jurado in Mijas. "It is a recognition of craftsmanship as we, artisans, have had no support from the institutions until recently, and little by little, we are being recognised. It is a source of pride not only for me but for everyone," said the artisan, who specialises in textiles, and ceramics.

Jurado received the award from the Economic Transformation Delegate from the Junta de Andalucía, Carmen Sánchez: "She has been working for a long time, with great quality, and originality. It is an honour to present her with this Charter of Master Artisan in recognition of her merits, her professional career, and contribution to artisan activity in Andalusia".

 

The event was attended by the Mayor of Mijas, Josele González (PSOE), the Councillors for Trade, Natalia Martínez (PSOE), and Tourism, José Carlos Martín (CS), as well as representatives of the government team and the Association of Artisans of the municipality. "Mijas has become the epicentre of craftsmanship in Malaga, and this honour is thanks to the great work carried out by the artisans. The Association of Mijas Artisans, and the Federation of Malaga, where the craftsmanship of Mijas has a special role," said the Mayor of the municipality. He recalled that "Mijas is the only municipality in the province declared as a Zone of Artisan Interest".
 

First Master Charter for Mijas

This is the first Master Charter received by the Association of Mijas Artisans. It is necessary to meet several requirements, as noted by the Mijas artisans president, Sonia Lekuona: "That the trade is the one you have of artisan charter, minimum 15 years working in that trade, and you continue to maintain active in the trade at that time".

Lekuona also pointed out that "this is a unique and historic moment. There are many artisans, but not many have been working in their trade for more than 15 years. It is difficult but luckily, next year, we will have three more".

 

At present, Mijas also has 17 Artisan Charters, and 3 of Artisan Quality. The Mijas Town Hall has highlighted the value of the work carried out by our artisans. "It is further recognition for our municipality, especially for the craft sector, a tourist segment that we are promoting. Mijas is a benchmark from this point of view, and all this type of recognition highlights the progress in the art craftsmanship protection that is being made," said the Tourism Councillor.

For her part, the Commerce Councillor wanted to "thank the Mijas Artisans Association as, without them, it would not be possible to preserve this tradition and the number of crafts is increasing". She stressed that "we are the municipality with the most artisan charters in the province with this new recognition. Mijas already has its first Master Crafts Charter of the five granted in the province, which adds to the ten granted in Andalusia".
 

Mijas, adds two new "Artesano" Charters

During the ceremony, local artisans Humildad Ríos, who specialises in varnishing and resin, and watchmaker Aimad El-Mahmouri received the "Carta Artesana"-Artisan Charter. "For me, it has been a recognition of many working years. It took five years, and I had never made it public, until two years ago, when I started to treat different materials.  I decided to apply for it, as I thought I would fit the profile to be awarded," said Ríos.

"The badge is important to me as it recognises my work and my trade. The repairing watches' work is considered a craft, as it is done manually," said El Mahmouri.

 

Finally, it is worth mentioning that on the occasion of the European Crafts Days, Mijas brings together 50% of the artisans of the province who participate in these days.
Humildad Ríos, specialising in varnishing and resin, and the watchmaking technician Aimad El-Mahmouri have received the "Cartas Artesana".

Crafts made in Andalusia

In Andalusia, there are 28 quality distinctions awarded by the Junta de Andalucía. María Jurado's is the tenth in Malaga, the province with the most awards in the whole autonomous community. In the Malaga province, there are a total of 171 entries in the Andalusian Register of Craftspeople: 157 individual craftspeople, 12 crafts companies and 2 associations.

There is also an Area of Artisan Interest in Mijas, which includes a total of 21 artisan workshops. This association has 17 artisan charters and 3 quality craftsmanship labels.

Finally, it is worth remembering that 'Artesanía hecha en Andalucía' is the new unique brand that now identifies the products made by the crafts sector, with the aim of boosting their promotion and commercialisation, as well as protecting and maintaining the prestige of this economic activity, the professionals and their works.
 

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