The Michoacán Handicraft House (Casa de las Artesanías de Michoacán) has confirmed a 1-million-peso incentive pool for the 57th edition of the State Handicraft Contest for “Noche de Muertos” (Night of the Dead). The traditional competition in Pátzcuaro is expected to feature 2,000 pieces crafted by 1,168 regional creators.
According to state estimates, the submission period for the works will run from October 26 to 28, with the jury’s review scheduled for October 29. The exhibition and sale of award-winning works will open to the public at the Centro Cultural Antiguo Colegio Jesuita from October 31 to November 2. The formal award ceremony will take place on November 1 at 12:00 PM.
Categories and Special Awards
Cástor Estrada Robles, director of the Handicraft House, detailed that the call for entries will cover 113 recognitions distributed across 20 categories and 35 subcategories, including maque, pottery, copper, textiles, and wood carving.
The awards ceremony will also feature the prestigious “Teresa Dávalos” insignia, which carries a 35,000-peso prize, alongside 10 special distinctions worth 20,000 pesos each.
Regional Fair and Parade
María Emilia Reyes Oseguera, president of the Michoacán State Union of Artisans, announced the installation of an artisanal fair from October 24 to November 3 in Pátzcuaro. Additionally, the artisanal sector will hold a representative parade on Sunday, October 25, at 10:00 AM, starting from the town’s main square.
Economic Impact and Fair Pricing Call
State authorities highlighted the significant economic impact of previous cultural events, noting that the last edition recorded direct sales of 2.417 million pesos in the central exhibition and 3.854 million pesos in the artisan corridor fair.
In light of these figures, artisan leadership has issued a plea to both local and international visitors to respect the commercial value of each piece. The union emphasized that these items require weeks of manual labor, urging the public to avoid “regateo” (haggling) and to ensure fair compensation for the creators during the festive season.