Olula del Río Lace Festival 2025

A living tribute to lace

In every pinpoint and every lace cross, the memory of generations of women who have woven, with patience and skill, true works of art. The Olula del Río gathering is much more than a gathering of lacemakers: it is a living tribute to the creativity, dedication, and cultural legacy of this type of textile craft.

From early morning, the square will be filled with color with stalls selling specialized materials—threads, hand-turned bobbins, pillows, classic and contemporary patterns—and, above all, with long tables where dozens of lacemakers will share techniques, laughter, and workshop secrets.

Tradition that unites

One of the most beautiful aspects of these gatherings is the ability of bobbin lace to unite generations. It's common to see grandmothers, mothers, and daughters sharing a common world, weaving together not only threads but also shared stories. In Olula del Río, this connection takes on an even deeper dimension thanks to the commitment of associations like Flor de Guipur, which constantly strive to keep this tradition alive in an increasingly digital world.

The day will also be enlivened with popular music, regional dances, and food tastings, allowing visitors and locals alike to enjoy a complete experience, where the common thread is, never better said, the love of handmade goods.

Olula del Río, art among mountains

But if anything makes this event the perfect excuse to pack your bags, it's the setting itself. Olula del Río, located in the heart of the Almanzora Valley, is a town that has successfully combined its rural past with a vibrant cultural heritage.

On a walk through its streets, the visitor can discover the imposing Ibanez Museum, one of the province's museum gems, which houses more than a thousand works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs, including works by artists such as Goya, Sorolla, and Antonio López. Just a few meters away is the Pérez Siquier Center, dedicated to the legendary photographer from Almería and a key figure in the visual renewal of 60s Spain.

And if one wishes to contemplate a contemporary icon that speaks of identity, one can approach the sculpture of the 'Man of Almanzora', a colossal work by Antonio López, which stands majestically on the outskirts of the municipality, like a serene guardian of the landscape.

Much more than bobbins

Those who visit Olula del Río during the event will not only be able to immerse themselves in the hypnotic beauty of hands weaving threads with mathematical precision, but will also have the opportunity to discover the hospitality of a people who come together every year for this event.

During these days, local bars and restaurants offer special menus featuring local products: homemade sausages, wood-fired bread, extra virgin olive oil, and sweets such as wine rings and pork rind cakes. In addition, many of the lace makers often open small temporary exhibitions showcasing their finest work, truly filigree work that inspires admiration even among the most inexperienced.

A tradition with a future

Far from being an art relegated to the past, bobbin lace is experiencing a new lease on life. Thanks to social media, video tutorials, and gatherings like Olula's, more and more people—including men—are taking the plunge and learning this technique. The bobbin lace community is, today, a beautiful example of how tradition can forge a strong path into the 21st century without losing an ounce of its essence.

So now you know: on June 15th, Olula del Río is not just a destination, but a meeting point with the beauty of handmade work, the calm of leisurely conversation, and the invisible art that unites peoples, generations, and hearts.

See you among bobbins and guipure flowers.