The event, organized by the Department of Business and Labour, through the Consortium of Trade, Craftsmanship and Fashion of Catalonia (CCAM) and the creative agency Le Départament, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, the Cardona City Council, Cardona Turisme, and the Josep Arnau Salt Museum, aims to highlight the role of artisan trades in contemporary society.
For three days, over 80 artisans, selected by a specialist committee, will showcase their work in disciplines such as ceramics, wood, metal, glass, natural fibers, textiles, paper, and jewelry. The public will have free access to the fair, can purchase exhibitors' products, and attend scheduled activities.
The fair will feature creators from Europe, Asia, and America, with a significant presence of over 30 Catalan artisans. Entities such as the European Crafts Alliance (ECA) will present the exhibition Crafted Origins on European geographical indications for artisanal and industrial products. Additionally, Poland's Creative Industries Institute (IPK) will showcase the exhibition Material Imagination. Poetics of Dirty Hands.
The program includes round tables and presentations. On Saturday, November 7th, from 12:00 to 13:00, a round table titled «The role of traditional craftsmanship in contemporary society» will be moderated by David Places, head of Artesania Catalunya, with participants Tomás Alía, Pepa Entrena, and Laura Miguel. In the afternoon, from 16:30 to 18:00, the Association for the Study of Furniture (AEM) will present «More than a chest of drawers: secrets of an 18th-century prayer cabinet» by Joan Güell Solà.
Holding the fair at Cardona Castle also provides an opportunity to discover the municipality's historical and cultural heritage. Visitors can receive a special discount for the Salt Mountain by using the code «OFICI» when booking online, and the Josep Arnau Salt Museum will offer a special price for OFICI visitors from November 6th to 9th.
The first edition of OFICI is sponsored by Maserati, celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Trident symbol.
