Manises will debut this 2022 with the Unesco ‘creative city’ seal. Officially declared last November 2021, it becomes part of the group of cities that make up this creative map that unites international points with a single purpose: to highlight creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.
Manises ceramics
Ceramics has been part of Manises’ DNA for more than seven centuries. Nowadays, we have a wide recognition both locally, nationally and internationally, we have positioned ourselves as one of the most active geographical points of the ceramic panorama of the moment.
In Manises, ceramics goes far beyond tradition, it is translated into the daily life of its inhabitants, into a social reality, into a daily work and a way of life that does not follow fashions and remains intact in time generation after generation.
A 2022 calendar full of events
For years, the city has been organising numerous activities and initiatives – at local, national and international level – spread throughout the months, revolving around ceramics and all that it entails. This 2022, the task of bringing ceramics to its maximum expression is an even greater purpose than in previous years due to the recognition of Unesco.
That is why we have prepared a complete programme that will bring together: the traditional Manises International Ceramics Biennial held every two years, which is one of the most important contemporary ceramics competitions in Europe and which in 2022 celebrates its 50th anniversary from 10 June to 10 September.
The Hola Cerámica project, an initiative promoted by the AeCC (Spanish Association of Ceramic Cities) with the aim of revitalising ceramics. The doors of museums, workshops and other ceramic resources will be opened to make them known to a wide public. In this way, Manises will actively participate in this event planned for this spring.
In July, the Ceramics Festival – coinciding with the local festivities in honour of Santa Justa and Rufina – and its Cavalcade, which has been held for more than a century, will be the main protagonists of the month. During these days, the artisan minds and artists turn the city into an open-air ceramic stage with the participation of a large part of the citizens, a time when ceramics take to the streets. In addition, other disciplines such as gastronomy and music are mixed in.
Also in July, the ‘International Ceramic Archaeology Camp for Young People’ is held.
Thus, from Manises we have organised a large portfolio of exhibitions, activities and additional events over the coming months to celebrate that this 2022, the city looks more to ceramics than to ceramics.
