11 July 2024
Artisans and designers from Putumayo and the Middle Magdalena Valley will participate in Expoartesano 2024
- Between July 5th and 14th, 250 products crafted by 150 participants from the Hilos de la Tierra program from municipalities such as Mocoa, Villagarzón, Puerto Asís, Orito in Putumayo, as well as San Martín, San Alberto, Aguachica in Cesar, and Rionegro in Santander will be featured at one of the region’s most important artisan events.
- Hilos de la Tierra is an ongoing project developed by Gran Tierra Energy and is implemented in partnership with the World Women’s Corporation of Colombia (CMMC). The project brought together this creative collaboration with SOCARRÁS and is centered around local artisans from the Putumayo and the Middle Magdalena regions. Through this project, communities have been able to acquire new knowledge, improve their skills, increase their economic incomes, and recognize their work as a valuable contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of their communities.
- Expoartesano will take place between the July 5th to 14th in Plaza Mayor, Medellín and the Hilos de la Tierra products will be exhibit in the Stand A113 in the Blue Pavilion.
Medellín 5th of July, 2024. The Hilos de la Tierra program by Gran Tierra Energy makes its debut at Expoartesano 2024, a significant national fair that celebrates the artisan tradition and the knowledge of artisans as custodians of valuable Colombian cultural heritage. This edition marks Expoartesano’s 15th anniversary, highlighting the artisan tradition and the invaluable cultural knowledge of artisans. This participation provides a unique opportunity for the Hilos de la Tierra program to join this celebration with the best talents from artisans and designers of Putumayo and the Middle Magdalena Valley. For its inaugural participation, Hilos de la Tierra brings products such as crocheted backpacks, fiber basketry, space decoration items, and accessories ideal for authentic and innovative corporate gifts, rich with Colombian history and tradition. These products are created using the technical expertise of over 150 beneficiaries from Putumayo, Cesar, and Santander.
Hilos de la Tierra is an ongoing project developed by Gran Tierra Energy and is implemented in partnership with the World Women’s Corporation of Colombia (CMMC). The project brought together this creative collaboration with SOCARRÁS and is centered around local artisans from 17 ethnical communities form Putumayo, Cesar and the Middle Magdalena regions. Through this project, communities have been able to acquire new knowledge, improve their skills, increase their economic incomes, share their knowledge with new generations, and recognize their work as a valuable contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of their communities.
In Putumayo, the program involves artisans from indigenous communities such as Inga, Emberá, Pastos, Awá, Nasa, and Afro-descendants who craft artisanal designs using natural fibers, dyes, seeds, beads, and recycled materials to revive ancestral practices. In Cesar and Santander, the program empowers women in diverse contexts to produce garments under the highest quality standards and with environmentally responsible textiles.
Diego Perez-Claramunt, Vice President of HSE & Corporate Social Responsibility in Gran Tierra Energy said that, “This program exemplifies how partnerships between GTE and local communities can lead to concrete actions that transform the lives of hundreds of individuals and entire communities. Promoting cultural diversity, sustainability, and local fashion is crucial for us, reflecting Gran Tierra Energy’s philosophy of ‘Beyond Compliance,’ focusing on responsible, meaningful, and sustainable investments and operational practices.”
Yeimy Jineth Acosta Caviche, an indigenous Nasa artisan from the Kiwe Nxusxa community, whose work will be showcased at Expoartesano 2024, emphasizes the significance of this space: “It’s very meaningful because we can celebrate our roots, traditions, and keep our customs alive through artisanal work, preserving our identity and sharing our cultural richness.”
The Hilos de la Tierra project is an example of how alliances between companies like Gran Tierra Energy, the World Woman Corporation and local communities yield positive results in contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of regions such as Putumayo and the Middle Magdalena. We are confident that everyone visiting the Hilos de la Tierra stand will find spectacular products crafted with great effort and love.
Calle 31 # 13A – 51, Ofc. 303. Edificio Panorama
Teléfono: (601) 355 3040 – (601) 400 9595
Bogotá – Colombia
E-mail: hilosdelatierra@cmmcolombia.org