The Cabildo of Tenerife has presented the First National Congress on Traditional Clothing, which will take place in La Orotava on October 2 and 3. The event will bring together experts from across the country to discuss textile heritage.
The Villa of La Orotava is preparing to host the First National Congress on Traditional Clothing, a pioneering event that will be held on October 2 and 3, 2026. The official presentation took place in the Noble Hall of the town hall, attended by the mayor Francisco Linares, the president of the Insular Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, and the councillor for Employment, Education and Youth, Efraín Medina, along with speakers and members of the Sectorial Council of Traditional Clothing of Tenerife.
The congress aims to become a national reference forum for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices regarding traditional clothing. Researchers, conservators, ethnographers, designers, artisans, and specialists from across the country will gather in La Orotava to analyse, debate, and highlight traditional textile heritage as a fundamental part of cultural identity.
Rosa Dávila highlighted during the presentation that “Tenerife is once again at the forefront in defending our cultural heritage with the celebration of the first National Congress on Traditional Clothing.” The insular president emphasised that this meeting should be “a reference space for sharing knowledge, promoting research, and ensuring that this legacy reaches new generations with the utmost rigor and respect.”
Dávila added that “traditional clothing is much more than a way of dressing; it is a reflection of our history, our identity, and the way our ancestors understood life.” From the Cabildo, she assured, initiatives that protect this heritage will continue to be supported, projecting Tenerife as a national reference in its study, conservation, and dissemination.
For his part, Efraín Medina stressed that “this congress is the result of many years of work by the Sectorial Council of Traditional Clothing of Tenerife and hundreds of people who have dedicated their efforts to researching, documenting, and dignifying our traditional clothing.” The councillor noted that having specialists from different parts of Spain in Tenerife will allow for “the exchange of experiences, enriching research, and continuing to advance in the protection of a living heritage that is part of our culture.”
Medina also highlighted that La Orotava, “due to its history and commitment to traditions, is the ideal setting to host this first National Congress.” The municipality has been recognised for its work in the conservation, protection, and dissemination of cultural heritage in all its manifestations.
The mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, expressed his pride in the selection of the municipality as the venue for this pioneering meeting. “For the Villa, it is a true honour and a great responsibility to become the national epicentre of traditional clothing,” he stated. Linares emphasised the importance of holding events of this nature, as traditional clothing is one of the most valuable expressions of local identity.
“Thanks to this initiative, essential tools will be put on the table to protect and conserve this heritage against forgetfulness or distortions,” the mayor added. The educational and disseminative basis is fundamental, according to Linares: “We need to educate new generations and foster absolute respect for our clothing, understanding the historical rigor behind every thread and every stitch.”
During the presentation, it was highlighted that the congress will address the study of traditional clothing from historical, anthropological, ethnographic, innovative, artisanal, and heritage perspectives. In addition to lectures and round tables, the municipality will host exhibitions and open meetings to the public in the weeks leading up to and during the event.
The organisation of the First National Congress on Traditional Clothing reinforces the commitment of the Cabildo of Tenerife to the protection, conservation, study, and dissemination of the material and immaterial heritage of the island. With this initiative, Tenerife consolidates its position as a national reference point in the knowledge and preservation of traditional clothing.
Those interested in participating will soon be able to consult the complete programme and registration conditions through the official channels of the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Town Hall of La Orotava. The event promises to be a unique meeting point for all those working to keep the traditional textile legacy alive.
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