A documentary titled Carboners a Menorca: un ofici que no s’apaga has premiered at the Ferreries Auditorium, offering recognition to one of the most enduring traditional crafts in the Balearic Islands. The production focuses on the figure of the charcoal maker, a profession that survives today thanks to a single family continuing this practice in Menorca.

The 35-minute film provides an in-depth portrayal of the traditional charcoal production process, along with its historical and cultural significance. Through firsthand testimonies and visual documentation, it illustrates how this activity has shaped the landscape and contributed to sustainable forest management over generations.

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Directed by Magda Timoner and Ester Sánchez, the documentary combines technical insight with a human-centered narrative that highlights the daily work and dedication involved in this craft. Following the screening, a discussion session brought together the documentary’s protagonists and forestry experts, encouraging dialogue on the current challenges and future of both the profession and forest ecosystems.

Charcoal production is carried out using the traditional sitja method, which involves arranging wood—typically shrub, pine, or holm oak—in a مخروط-shaped structure covered with natural materials to enable slow combustion with limited oxygen. This process requires continuous monitoring over several days to ensure the wood transforms into charcoal rather than ash.

Beyond its cultural relevance, this craft represents a form of active land management, contributing to biomass reduction, wildfire prevention, and ecological balance. The resulting charcoal continues to be widely used, particularly for barbecues in both domestic and hospitality settings.

This initiative underscores the importance of preserving traditional knowledge as a key component in maintaining cultural identity while addressing modern environmental challenges.