Palma will hold its first Fira de la Sardina at the Moll de Pescadors

With the sea breeze of the Moll de Pescadors as the backdrop, the official presentation of the first edition of the Palma’s Fira de la Sardina, and the first to be held in the Balearic Islands, was held on the morning of Monday the 12th of May. It will be held from the 15th to the 18th of May.

Organized by Palma Fishermen's Guild, the fair was created with the aim of highlighting the value of Mallorcan sardines and blue fish, emphasising their fundamental role in local gastronomy and the island's fishing tradition. It is an event that fuses gastronomy, culture and sustainability, offering an immersive experience for all audiences.

For four days, attendees will be able to enjoy seafood cuisine, traditional music and various activities while learning about the importance of oily fish, and more specifically sardines fished in the Bay of Palma, in the Mediterranean diet.

The fair will also have two gastronomic areas with a space dedicated to the “espeto” and sardine “torradoras”, a space dedicated to crafts and a children's area for the whole family to enjoy. In addition, the programme includes a variety of workshops, children's activities, live music and concerts of traditional music, such as “havaneres”, thus guaranteeing a complete and entertaining experience.

Domingo Bonnin, president of the Palma Fishermen's Guild, opened the official presentation ceremony held this Monday morning by highlighting the importance of this event for making the work of the fishing sector more visible. ‘This fair is a historic demand of the fishing sector in Palma and has been made possible thanks to the harmony of different administrations, because without them this would be impossible’.

On his behalf, José Javier Sanz Fernández, president of the APB, underlined the commitment to initiatives that promote the city's maritime environment. "From the APB we are committed to supporting events that reinforce the connection between the city, its port and the sea. The Fira de la Sardina is a magnificent example of institutional and sectoral collaboration".

One of the highlights of the presentation was the display of the Sardina d'Or awards, made by the internationally renowned Mallorcan artist Lolo Garner, who expressed his gratitude that this fair ‘takes art and crafts so much into account, and that the organisers and Palma City Council continue to support and promote culture’. The internationally famous artist closed his speech with a piece of advice: ‘less ceviches and more marinades’.

Guadalupe Ferrer, councillor for Commerce, Catering and the Self-Employed at Palma City Council, said that the fair ‘finally combines the perfect trinomial: gastronomy, culture and local produce’. In this sense, she stated that the most important thing is the prominence for four days of ‘local produce, sustainability at the end of the day, and the gastronomy that brings people together so much, and that is why we encourage all the citizens of Palma to come’.

Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, Minister of Enterprise, Employment and Energy of the Government of the Balearic Islands, emphasised the dynamising role of the event, assuring that ‘this fair is a great opportunity to reflect on such important issues for the fishing sector, as well as the needs it has and to highlight such important aspects as local produce and zero-kilometre products’.

Finally, Javier Bonet, first deputy mayor for Tourism, Culture, Sports and Municipal Coordination of Palma City Council, closed the round of speeches by highlighting the tourist and cultural potential of this event. "At last we have a sardine fair in Palma, the first fair that will bring us closer to this blue fish, but also to the tradition, culture and traditional fishing that does such a good job. Welcome to the first sardine fair. We invite all citizens to come and enjoy it".

The presentation concluded with a special tasting by chef Matías Providentti, who prepared a delicious “pa amb oli con trampó” with fresh sardines caught by local fishermen in the early hours of this morning.

The fair will feature gastronomic, cultural and family activities, such as live music, children's workshops, entertainment and the Sustainable Fishing Days. On Sunday, 18th of May, the Sardina d'Or awards will be presented, recognising fishing careers, gastronomic innovation and commitment to the preservation of the sea.

The first Palma’s Fira de la Sardina is an event organised by the Confraria de Pescadors with the institutional support of Palma City Council, Es Restaraució, Palma Activa, the Conselleria d'Empresa, Ocupació i Energia del Govern de les Illes Balears, Ports de Balears, Agència de Desenvolupament Regional de Balears, Conselleria d'Agricultura, Pesca i Medi Natural and the Consell de Mallorca. The event also has the collaboration of the brands San Miguel, Bicicletas y Peces, Codorniu, Generación X, Grupo Palma Ocio, Grupo Trui, Net Palma, Ni Foc ni Fum, Puig, Salinas d'es Trenc, Museu Maritim, Restauración Mallorca Caeb, Pimem, AgenciaCom, Fundación Palma Aquarium, CSIC, Serra de Tramontana, Impresrapit, Emaya, Boc, Millor qui so, PP58, Potencia, Cadena Ser, Ser Foodie and Firesifestes.