Acebo celebrates the art of lace with its 8th Lacemakers' Meeting
On the bright morning of September 7th, Acebo, one of the most charming villages in the Sierra de Gata, will become a large open-air workshop where homage will be paid to the delicacy, patience, and tradition of bobbin lace. The Plaza del Álamo will be the epicenter of the XNUMXth Lacemakers' Meeting, a day that will bring together artisans and lace lovers from all over Extremadura—and beyond—to share their work, techniques, and, above all, their passion.
Starting early at 9:30 a.m., the town's bars will welcome participants with a welcome breakfast while their credentials are handed out. At 10:00 a.m., the bobbins will begin to ring like a wooden melody resonating among threads and pins. The tables will be filled with pillows, picados, and balls of colorful thread, and the lacemakers' hands will begin to move with that agility learned over the years, as if they were conducting a handmade symphony.
At 11:30 a.m., visitors to Acebo will not only be able to enjoy live art but also learn more about this enclave with a guided tour of the town. Because Acebo isn't just lace; it's history, golden stone, wooden balconies, and lush nature. It's a place to wander leisurely through its cobbled streets, discover the parish church of San Sebastián—with its unique tower—or cool off in the famous Jevero natural pool, a small paradise surrounded by pine trees and granite rocks that seems straight out of a fairy tale.
The raffle, scheduled for 14:00 p.m., will bring a moment of joy and surprise before the day's grand banquet: a meal prepared by Fernando Bárcena, a prestigious chef with ties to the Arzak restaurant and owner of the Aldebarán restaurant in Badajoz. A culinary offering that promises to live up to the care put into every lace stitch.
The event will officially conclude at 17:00 PM, leaving behind new friendships, shared learning, and the satisfaction of having been part of a tradition that, far from fading, is experiencing a rebirth full of creativity and energy.
These gatherings are not only a showcase of craftsmanship, but also a tribute to intergenerational collaboration. Among the lacemakers are young women discovering the value of handmade items and veterans who have spent decades transmitting knowledge that doesn't appear in books, but rather in the memory of their fingers.
In addition to participating in the event, visitors to Acebo can take advantage of the opportunity to hike through the Sierra de Gata, such as the one that leads to Trevejo, a medieval village where the castle ruins seem to preserve time, or visit San Martín de Trevejo, where "a fala" is still spoken, a unique and melodic language preserved only in this area of northern Cáceres.
For textile art lovers, there's no better plan than this September Sunday in Acebo. Registration, breakfast, and lunch will be free for participants, while all other attendees can join the event for just 6 euros. A nominal fee to enjoy a full day of bobbin lace, smiles, and a privileged natural and cultural setting.
The 8th Lacemakers' Meeting is not just a meeting for experts in the field. It's an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of craftsmanship, to connect with a community that lovingly preserves its heritage, and to reaffirm that art—true art, that which comes from the heart and hands—lives on in our villages.
