Last August, I received the Arbedeiro Award from the El Arbedeiro Cultural Association of Navelgas, as part of the Day of the Villages of Asturias celebrations. This award is given to individuals and projects that keep the culture, traditions, and life of rural Asturias alive.
What does this award represent?
The Arbedeiro Association is deeply connected to the recent history of Navelgas and to the preservation of its traditions, festivals, and community life. Receiving this award from an organization so deeply rooted in the area makes the recognition especially meaningful and emotional.
A recognition that originates from rural Asturias itself and celebrates craftsmanship as a way of life, identity, and shared future
Weaving from rural Asturias
At pazmesa.art, I work in a rural textile workshop where I weave pieces on a loom using local wool and natural dyes, connecting each piece to the landscape, the memories, and the stories of the people who live in these valleys. Every scarf, shawl, or blanket is born from a slow process, respectful of the animals, the environment, and the community that sustains this craft.
Navelgas, community and future
Receiving the Arbedeiro Award in Navelgas, on a day dedicated to celebrating the villages of Asturias, felt like coming full circle: the crafts born in rural areas return to those same rural communities, transformed into a cause for celebration. I felt that the award also spoke to the women artisans, those who uphold traditional trades, and those who choose to stay and create in the villages.
An impetus to keep weaving
This award serves as an impetus to continue researching, weaving, and sharing the value of wool and textile creations made in Asturias. It is an invitation to continue championing craftsmanship as a way of life, as a source of innovation rooted in the land, and as a means of building a future in rural areas.
