In a joint statement, the two municipalities, which are “the only centers of filigree production in Portugal,” announced that their application aims to “safeguard and enrich this ancient art of goldsmithing.”
“Which transforms fine gold and silver threads into lace-like pieces of extraordinary beauty and complexity, now symbolizing Portuguese artisanal excellence. Passed down from generation to generation, filigree represents a living legacy, maintained by master artisans whose dedication continues to enrich the national cultural heritage,” the municipalities emphasize.
The joint application is the result of institutional cooperation initiated with the protocol signed between the two municipalities in 2016, leading to the official certification of this technique in 2018 and its inclusion, in 2023, in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“The submission of the Portuguese Filigree application to UNESCO represents a commitment to the safeguarding and appreciation of a cultural legacy of exceptional importance. It also acknowledges the work and accumulated knowledge of generations of filigree masters, whose dedication and excellence deserve to be preserved, promoted, and passed on to future generations,” affirm the councils of Gondomar and Póvoa de Lanhoso.
The two municipalities highlight filigree as an identity element of their territories and of Portugal, adding that, with this application, they “strengthen their role as guardians of one of the finest expressions of traditional Portuguese goldsmithing, promoting its preservation and international recognition.”
