Esparto grass will be the star of the now regular Artisans Market at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Hope on the third Sunday of the month.
Esparto grass used to be a cottage industry in Calasparra and some local families have a long tradition of cutting and selling esparto for making ropes, as building materials, as fuel etc. Unfortunately, this tradition has pretty well died out as the grass has been supplanted by modern materials which are cheaper and easier to transport and use. However, there are craftsmen and women in Calasparra who make wonderful objects from esparto grass.
Again this tradition is dying out as the older generation disappear but objects from ornaments to baskets, from blinds to curtains to almost anything you can imagine can be weaved from esparto grass.
Sunday at the Sanctuary should be a golden opportunity to see examples of this dying art.
The Sanctuary have sent the following programme for the day:
Official Opening 10 am
Apart from the stalls there will be: bracelets made of plaited esparto; face painting workshop for kids; and bouncy castle.
12 midday Visit for tourists to the Chapel and Museum at the Sanctuary
12 midday Performance by the Rondalla of Calasparra, in the main Sanctuary Square.
1pm Mass
At the end of the mass the room of Our Lady of Hope will be open..
