More than a technique: needle lace is recognised as a GI in Brazil

Yesterday morning we had an announcement from the Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Indutrial (INPI)... the grant of a
Geographical Indication (GI) in the form of Indicação de Procedência (indication of Souce) to ‘renda irlandesa de Divina Pastora’ located in Sergipe.


The product is a ‘needle lace’ which is historically linked to Europe. However, its current form reflects the influences of its producers and so, its cultural traditions. The dynamics between the old (knowledge) and the new (world perspective) gives the ‘renda irlandesa de Divina Pastora’ its distinctiveness. ‘Renda irlandesa’ can have several uses from being part f a dress or just be a dress, to be used as a decoration for houses and ceremonies.

‘Renda irlandesa de Divina Pastora’ has already being recognised as a Brazilian cultural heritage and is also included in the ‘book of knowledge’. INPI informed that the producers have now 60 days to pay the correspondent fee and thus, finishing with the formalities of any GI application and registration. This is the first GI for Sergipe.