A. M. Ilobasco was once again the epicenter of salvadoran folk art with the 14th Festival del barro, a celebration that this year pays tribute to master artisan Dominga Herrera, an icon of national cultural heritage. Under the slogan “100 years of small inspirations” the Comisión Nacional de la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (CONAMYPE), supported by FANTEL funds, joined the event with a significant commitment to local economic strengthening.
In this edition, more than 100 micro and small businesses received direct support from CONAMYPE-FANTEL, consolidating the festival as a strategic platform to boost the municipality’s economy. More than 50% of the participating MSMEs belong to the artisan sector, while the rest come from key sectors such as tourism, food and beverages, and commerce, generating a value chain that benefits multiple actors in the local productive ecosystem.
One of the festival’s highlights was the miniature creativity contest, which recognized the talent and innovation of artisans who captured Ilobasco’s cultural richness in small pieces. The winning works will be exhibited at the Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal Interactivo (CEDART), reaffirming the commitment to highlighting art as an economic driver and identity.
The festival is the result of an inter-institutional collaboration between CONAMYPE, CEDART Ilobasco, the Regional Development Center, and the CDMYPE UNICAES, as part of the Local Economic Development strategy. This regional synergy allows for not only celebrating cultural heritage but also generating business opportunities and training for entrepreneurs.
These types of initiatives contribute to strengthening the artisan ecosystem, promoting tourism, and fostering entrepreneurship, boosting Ilobasco’s economy from its roots. The Festival del Barro thus establishes itself as an example of how culture and economy can work to transform local realities.
