Hope’ collection supports struggling artisans in Palestine

Proactivetur, through its ‘Projecto TASA’ brand, is presenting a special, limited selection of handicrafts from Palestine in its shop in Loulé.

The pieces produced in the Gaza and West Bank area came to us through the NGO Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA) dedicated to promoting the traditional arts of Palestine.

The selection includes a collection of hand-painted ceramics produced by local potters with the motto of the olive branch, which is also a symbol of peace and hope. To mark the Christmas season, sets of miniature Christmas trees woven with hand-woven sheep's wool by artisans from the Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar were purchased.

The purchase of the ceramic and woollen items directly contributed to the monthly income of three families who depend on their handicrafts.

Given its particular sensitivity to artisanal work, Proactivetur believes that this is a way of supporting artisans, people and their small businesses at a time when they are facing so many difficulties.

The selection already available in the TASA shop (Rua de Portugal 35 Loulé) is sold at the price at which it was purchased from the BFTA (plus the obligatory VAT in Portugal). The shipping costs from Palestine to Portugal and the respective customs costs were borne by Proactivetur and are not reflected in the final price.

This cross-fertilisation of techniques, materials and themes also worked in the Algarve affirms the artisans' sense of community, whatever their origin, ethnicity or religion, which ultimately unites us as humans.

The TASA shop will also be open on Saturday mornings from 30 November and throughout December.

You can find more information about the shop's opening hours and the conditions under which the items can be sold here.