A new feature this year is a full program of artisan demonstrations showing how each piece is made
The event, taking place from June 4 to 8 at Palma’s Parc de la Mar, will bring together around 40 exhibitors from the Balearic Islands across twelve artisan families.
The Ministry of Business, Employment and Energy, through the Balearic Islands Regional Development Agency (ADR Balears), is bringing back the BaleArt craft fair with the goal of recognising and promoting the work of the local craft sector, while showcasing the richness and diversity of handmade products and traditional trades. The fair is organised in collaboration with the island councils (consells insulars) of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.
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BaleArt
The Minister of Business, Employment and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, officially presented the upcoming edition of the fair at Olleria Can Bernadí in Pòrtol. He was joined by the Director General of Industry and Industrial Zones, Alfons Gómez; the Mayor of Marratxí, Jaume Llompart; the ADR Balears Manager, Silvia Delgado; and Marratxí’s Councillors for Economic Promotion, Odette Torres, and for Culture and Ceramics, Carmen Cañellas.
The minister emphasised the revitalisation of the fair with a new focus on education and awareness:
“We want to show the creative process behind each piece in order to highlight the value of local production made by certified artisans. The public must become aware of the skill and effort involved in each creation, and of how artisans have integrated design as an innovative element while preserving traditional crafts.”
To this end, BaleArt will feature a full schedule of live demonstrations, allowing visitors to witness traditional trades such as chair caning, esparto weaving, embroidery, siurell making, pottery wheel turning, and net making, performed by artisans from Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.
The minister also noted that events like BaleArt play a vital role in “stimulating the economy of these small local businesses, giving them another platform to present and sell their products not only to residents of the Balearic Islands, but also to the many visitors arriving in Mallorca during these dates.” He emphasized that “each island preserves a unique and diverse artisanal culture, passed down through generations, which has given rise to a wide range of trades and products. These are highly valued but not always sufficiently visible. BaleArt will undoubtedly serve as a high-quality platform for promoting Balearic craftsmanship.”
BaleArt will host 41 artisans from Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, representing twelve craft families. They will exhibit and sell their products on-site. Although the range of items is very diverse, notable categories include pottery and ceramics, glass, wood, leather, basketry, textiles, lace, and metalwork. All pieces are certified by the island councils through official artisan or master artisan accreditations that verify their authenticity.
The fair, which is free to enter, has an official website – www.firabaleart.es – where visitors can find schedules, exhibitor lists, and the full agenda of artisan demonstrations.