Fenearte 2026 honors Pernambuco's saddlers and the craft of leather
The 26th edition of Fenearte, the largest craft fair in Latin America, ran from July 8 to 19, 2026, at the Pernambuco Convention Center in Olinda, and dedicated this year's theme to leather: "Seleiros de Pernambuco: Ofício que Transforma" (Saddlers of Pernambuco: A Craft That Transforms). For anyone who loves leatherwork, it's great to see the tradition get this kind of spotlight.
According to the Folha de Pernambuco, the fair expected to bring together more than 5,000 artisans, folk artists and exhibitors across roughly 700 commercial spaces, with an investment of R$ 16 million, the largest in the fair's history. The previous edition generated R$ 163 million in economic activity and drew around 340,000 visitors. For the first time, the fair also hosted a group of ten international buyers, in partnership with ApexBrasil.
The tribute to leather recalls important names in the craft: Zé Venceslau, linked to the Exu Leather Cycle; Irineu do Mestre, from Salgueiro, known for the "bonéus" worn by singer João Gomes; and Fafá Belém, from Petrolândia, a pioneer in the handcrafted use of tilapia leather. The report also highlights Cachoeirinha, a national reference in saddle and harness making, and the presence of leather in Pernambuco's independent fashion.
What interested me most was seeing saddles and harnesses treated as cultural heritage, not just products. Leather has been used for centuries in clothing, tools and accessories in the Northeast, and the fair puts that knowledge at the center of its program, alongside workshops, fashion shows and debates. For anyone who follows leather craft, it's a good example of how a regional tradition can connect with contemporary design and new markets.
Source: Folha de Pernambuco
According to the Folha de Pernambuco, the fair expected to bring together more than 5,000 artisans, folk artists and exhibitors across roughly 700 commercial spaces, with an investment of R$ 16 million, the largest in the fair's history. The previous edition generated R$ 163 million in economic activity and drew around 340,000 visitors. For the first time, the fair also hosted a group of ten international buyers, in partnership with ApexBrasil.
The tribute to leather recalls important names in the craft: Zé Venceslau, linked to the Exu Leather Cycle; Irineu do Mestre, from Salgueiro, known for the "bonéus" worn by singer João Gomes; and Fafá Belém, from Petrolândia, a pioneer in the handcrafted use of tilapia leather. The report also highlights Cachoeirinha, a national reference in saddle and harness making, and the presence of leather in Pernambuco's independent fashion.
What interested me most was seeing saddles and harnesses treated as cultural heritage, not just products. Leather has been used for centuries in clothing, tools and accessories in the Northeast, and the fair puts that knowledge at the center of its program, alongside workshops, fashion shows and debates. For anyone who follows leather craft, it's a good example of how a regional tradition can connect with contemporary design and new markets.
Source: Folha de Pernambuco
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