- The president of the Provincial Council of Cáceres highlights the success of this fifth edition of a meeting that has brought together thousands of people around talent, culture and opportunities in rural areas
- The Artisan and Sustainable Fashion Show, which brought together hundreds of people in San Jorge Square, showcased the talent of some twenty designers from different parts of the province
It has been three days of excitement and pride in “being from the people.” One more year, “JATO. Meeting of Opportunities in the Rural Environment” has turned the capital of Cáceres into the showcase of talent, culture, tradition and opportunities offered by the towns of the province.”
An event that closed this Sunday with numerous activities, such as the BIOmercado, GastroCáceres, ArteUrbano, Live Crafts or the long-awaited Artisanal and Sustainable Fashion Parade of the province of Cáceres, which brought together 19 designers in the Plaza de San Jorge.
Taking advantage of this closure, the president of the Provincial Council of Cáceres, Miguel Ángel Morales, has made a very positive assessment of the fifth edition of JATO, highlighting the response of citizens and the growing involvement of municipalities, associations and participating groups, making JATO consolidated as a reference for the promotion of rural areas.
“There has been an explosion of enthusiasm, talent and capacity in the rural world,” said the president, who has influenced the efforts of the inhabitants of the province to demonstrate that “the towns are full of energy, enthusiasm and talent, and they are demonstrating it day after day.”
Morales has stated that he is “tremendously proud of the participation and enthusiasm” with which the municipalities have transferred to Cáceres “all the talent, all the hope and all the energy that the people of the province have, and that is JATO.”
Morales wanted to review these days. Saturday’s event was once again one of the highlights of this edition, with a massive parade in which more than 1,100 people participated. “All of Cáceres was watching the parade for almost two and a half hours,” recalled the president, also highlighting the large influx of public recorded throughout the weekend.
Five years after its launch, Morales has recognized that JATO’s growth has exceeded initial expectations. “When the first edition was planned, it was never thought that it would have the success it has today,” adding that participation continues to grow year after year.
Given this consolidation, the president considers that the model developed by the Cáceres Provincial Council can serve as inspiration for other territories. “We have to demonstrate to those in charge within the M-30 that there is a Spain beyond the M-30,” claiming the prominence of rural territories and their contribution to the development of the country.
He also highlighted the institutional work done to bring initiatives like JATO to fruition. “We are demonstrating that politics, when it is done collaboratively, when there is empathy and a sense of shared purpose with the people of our towns, is a success.”
Fashion at JATO
Creativity, identity and commitment to the planet is what could be seen while models showed the work of 19 designers from the province in the Artisan and Sustainable Fashion Show”, presented, in this case, by journalist Carmen Gómez.
Passion for nature with 100% ecological materials in Mundo Kantia shoes, accessories and leather accessories; the “spring among rockroses”, in the Girasoles collection of bags and other accessories; Lara Carraux’s nature-inspired headdresses and hats; the elegant creations of Nansú Lencería; the theatrical language in Rubén Lanchazo’s fashion; Manuela Sánchez’s nature-inspired jewelry; the interpretation of the Montehermoseña cap, the essence of Andrés Campos’ fashion; always the embroidery of Jesús Naveiro; the party and ceremony of José Ramón García, of Corsinology; tradition seen from the modernity of Alba Rubio, Fazoletto; as well as that of Alma Rural, which makes visible the work of rural women artisans, their embroidery and bobbins; The family tradition of Vivas, leather artisans, now in the fourth generation; the very own and imaginative style of Alba Mateos, 4lbin; the restless soul of emerging designer Isabel Romero, from Almoharín; the color and creativity in the leather pieces of Las Galliciolas; the recovery and updating of garments from the past with Águeda Valle Upcycling, such as the tradition of J. Hernández, or the very Spanish and eclectic inspiration of Emma Prieto. All of this has been happening along the JATO walkway, where hundreds of people have been approaching throughout the morning. “An economic engine, without a doubt, is the work carried out by so many names in the province, some already established, others, and increasingly, new talents.”
Opening to Portugal
Among the new features of this fifth edition, Morales also highlighted the participation, for the first time, of Portuguese representatives, a fact that he considers especially relevant to strengthening cross-border cooperation.
“The joint development of inland Spain and inland Portugal has immense potential,” and has shown his satisfaction with the interest expressed by new Portuguese groups to join future editions.
In this sense, the president has insisted on the need to continue promoting opportunities in border territories and making visible the capacity of their inhabitants. “We are showing that, despite being far from Madrid, Brussels or Lisbon, we are living people, with immense potential and a lot of talent. We want to live in the towns and we have the capacity to do so.”
With this assessment, the Provincial Council of Cáceres closes a fifth edition of JATO marked by the increase in participation, the influx of public and the consolidation of a project that continues to grow as a reference in the promotion and revitalization of rural areas.
