Podence’s Caretos
Sofia Pombares began her craftsmanship with Luís Filipe Costa, a native of Podence and with a Careto’s soul, Luís Costa produced leather masks, which he learned from his grandfather, but he realized that he needed to broaden his horizons. He then began making tin masks, magnets, keychains… everything related to the Caretos and for the Caretos, even before they became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sofia Pombares, who is also a Careto de Podence, and embraced this entire universe, came to introduce a new production that marked the activity of this craft workshop: the production of costumes for the Caretos de Podence.
In Sofia Pombares’ workshop, everything related to the universe of the Caretos of Podence is produced, from small miniature masks and caretos in various materials, to life-size, ready-to-use elements, whether masks, rattle straps or costumes. And all this craftsmanship is certified.
At the end of 2024, Sofia Pombares was awarded the 2023 National Crafts Award, in the category – Young Talents, awarded by IEFP.
This award provides institutional recognition for the work that artisan Sofia Pombares has carried out in the creation, innovation and production of crafts related to the tradition of the Caretos of Podence and her contribution to safeguarding this tradition.