Last weekend the citizens of the little town of Altea could enjoy a different and lovely event. A craft market, workshops, conferences, food stalls and live music - all worked together to highlight one main idea - an eco-friendly lifestyle. It covered different sectors like health, agroecology, and bioconstruction, but also social awareness, food sovereignty, and education... The tradition is now established - it was organized already for the 13th year. I visited it a few times, in the previous years and I can see an improvement in the number of stalls, the offered activities and the whole organization. Also, the live music section was improved, bringing more artists that performed during the afternoons. On both days I was there for some hours, and on the first day's music vibes can be seen here.
The market part is what is coming right now to Hive, precisely to the #MarketFriday community. So many different stands and products we could see and purchase, so let's have a look at some of them.
There were various different stalls that showcased a huge variety of conscious cosmetic products. Using organic ingredients and those that have more connection with the local tradition and goods that can be found in these lands make them different from the cosmetics you can buy in the supermarkets. The packaging is also in this eco style, using paper bags, cardboard boxes or glass bottles. I have seen many soaps and solid shampoo bars, eliminating that way plastic bottles as packaging.
You could ask what is a healing gong at all? Drums whose sound can improve your health? It was a new thing for me, to see. By this stand, there were two hanging gongs... you could pay for 15 minutes of healing session (forgot about the price) and I guess you would be bathed by those sounds. I didn't try, so can't really say about the effects of the same.
But I did try the oceanic drums. These coloured ones. Looking now at the photo I realize why I stopped here and asked the girl about them. Those blue colours... The majority of the drums were rounded, but there was one octagonal that she gave me to try to "play". You just have to move it, very gently to one side and the little balls and seeds inside make the sound, just like the waves of the sea, of the ocean. It was so nice! Loved it.
Of course, a craft market can't be held without at least one stall selling pendants, bracelets, and earrings. They were handmade and from different materials. Ceramic, metal, stone, shells... I bought myself one of these rounded red ceramic pendants, with a leather cord. I liked all of them, but it is not a "responsible" attitude if I buy myself several of them. I had to decide :)
Stone pendants...however, I am not sure if it is their natural colour. You could also purchase them apart, just the coloured pebbles, 1 for 3$ and 2 for 5$. Maybe they have some special features and effects on us? I didn't ask, it was not something I wanted to have. I was happy with my new, red ceramic one.
The animal shelters also had their stands at the fair. From the money gathered by selling small decorative objects, bags, toys, and pendants they support the local animal shelters.
Usually, I see the shelter for cats and for dogs, but this time I saw a drawing of a horse. I checked at home what is La Manada de Molly. It is an association that takes care of abandoned and/or abused horses, donkeys and ponies.
If you get tired by walking around these stalls, you can opt for a massage. And not an ordinary one. A Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage (I have no clue about the details of how it is 😅). The person in charge offered some free slots, so those who wanted could try the benefits of this massage. Half-hidden with a piece of fabric, as you see in the photo below.
Several of the stands were selling ceramic objects. You could find lamps, plates, mugs, figures, bowls, souvenirs, or even plant pots. The pottery in Spain is still manufactured in a traditional way or at least it respects those traditional values. Especially this area, around Valencia and Castellón has a long tradition and still huge potential in the ceramic sector. The objects in the following photos were made by hand, they were so nice and artistic.
The same stall from where I got my pendant. They were selling other lovely stuff too.
You can order here what you want to be written or featured on the pottery.
Ceramic decoration and pots for your garden:
Wood is another natural material that has always been used to make useful tools and objects. Construction of houses or small items, as well as toys. This man was demonstrating how to use a refurbished sewing machine to make toys. There was a small saw that was moving quickly as he moved his legs (on the pedal). The children around watched that and learned something new and useful.
This colourful stand offered handmade puppets. Telling stories, through the "mouth" of a puppet is super interesting. I remember that I had one puppet as a child, it was a hedgehog, and my sister had a policeman puppet. I didn't like that one at all. These were lovely, the animals in vibrant colours.
Here we see different types of juggling toys. In the grass field that was beyond the stalls, children and adults were trying their juggling skills. It was fun. In my previous post, where I featured the music and dance part, I mentioned that there were a lot of wooden toys. It was also great to see, how many small ones loved these traditional toys and activities.
A personalized design of clothes, using materials that respect nature and the needs of the customers. There were a lot of people around so I didn't get in the tent, but close to this stand, I saw another interesting spot where children's clothes were featured.
So many different patterns were combined to bring these cute clothes for the little ones. If my child would be small, I would probably purchase something from here. Right now he is far away from this design and style haha.
Adorable slippers! Each one with a different pattern and colour, and some of them with different shapes too. I think they were made of felt or similar material. And it seems to me that they were made from one piece.
My favourite was this one, the green slippers with white and blue decorations.
We could also find bags, wallets, purses and cases. There were pieces made of reused clothes and fabric.
Of course, an eco-fair has to promote organic agriculture and also sell bio/organic products. I know there is nothing better than local and seasonal veggies and fruits that are grown in a natural way, without pesticides. Like those products that come from my mom's garden. (too bad I can't have that pleasure all year round to eat those tomatoes and cucumbers...)
Those who like to buy exclusively ecological food have to take out more money from their wallets.
Vegetarian Mexican tacos for hungry stomachs.
Almonds and products made of it. The nearby mountains are full of almond trees, so it is not a surprise that almond is a common dry fruit that is consumed here.
Artisan chocolate for all those chocolate lovers who care about their health. They also taste very well, and we tried some of those chocolate balls that the older man was preparing there. Actually, two, one from pure chocolate and the other mixed with carob. It has a characteristic, very interesting taste. (I bought another one the next day too, as I liked it)
We arrived at the end of this little tour through this eco-market.
But have you visited recently a similar event or fair? Where sustainability and eco-friendly lifestyle is promoted? We will gladly see your story and tour too!
