Leather craftsmanship wins intangible cultural heritage status
The practice of creating artisan products, particularly those related to horse-riding, from raw hide, typical of the region around Lavalleja in Uruguay, has won cultural heritage status from the South American country’s government.
The minister of education and culture, Pablo de Silveira, presided at a ceremony in Lavalleja in July to mark the occasion.
He described the traditional craft, known in the region as ‘guasquería’, as something that was closely linked to the country’s history and its way of life.
“Working with leather in this way is an art,” the minister said. “You can see it in the braided reins people make here, and in lots of things that you can find in rural regions and, luckily, also in the city these days. These are traditions that have enormous value.”
