The Palma Variety Fair held its second edition this weekend in the market square of Pere Garau, where 13 stalls were set up offering a variety of culinary delights, along with a ceremony honoring the legacy of Ca’n Biel Felip, which closed this summer.
The event was attended by the president of the Pere Garau Market Traders Association, Paquita Bonnín; the Director General of Commerce, Self-Employment, and Energy, Maria Antònia Sansó; the island councilor for Economic Promotion and Local Development of the Council of Mallorca, Pilar Amate, and the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, as well as representatives of business organizations, associations, and the neighborhoods of Palma, and specifically, of Pere Garau, according to a statement issued by the vendors of Pere Garau themselves.
During his speech, Bonnín recalled that the fair was launched last year with the aim of dedicating a celebration to a dish “tied to the everyday life of the people of Mallorca,” and the public’s response “proved they were right,” he said. The president highlighted the involvement of attendees in ensuring the initiative’s continuity.
Amate highlighted that this fair is the result of Bonnin’s “initiative, enthusiasm, and many years of hard work and perseverance” in turning an idea into a “well-established” project that, this year, “is growing and taking a step forward.”
Martínez celebrated that the fair is now in its second year, highlighting the success it enjoyed last year, which will allow it to move forward toward consolidating itself as a fixture on Palma’s social, cultural, and gastronomic calendar.
CA’N BIEL FELIP: MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF HISTORY
The award for the 2nd Variat Fair recognizes the work and dedication to promoting ‘variat’ and local products. In this second edition, the award went to Ca’n Biel Felip, the bar that Biel Roca opened in 1994 in Cas Capiscol and which was in operation for more than thirty years. After the mayor presented the award, the authorities visited the booths accompanied by Bonnín and participated in a ‘variat’ tasting session.
The Fair opened its doors Saturday afternoon and continues this Sunday until 11:00 PM. After the high attendance of the first edition, the organizers have expanded the venue to include the market squares and have introduced online ticket sales, as well as through kiosks installed at the Market itself. This system has allowed for drinks to be purchased before arriving at the event or while it is taking place, with the goal of streamlining the purchasing process.
The thirteen varied stalls share the space with food trucks, live music, and children’s activities. The program is spread across two stages and includes a midday vermouth party with a brass band this Sunday, as well as DJ sessions and performances throughout the afternoon and evening. These events continue Saturday’s program, which concluded with musical performances by Lolita Khaos and Chris Mental.
The 2nd Variat Fair is organized by the Association of Vendors of the Pere Garau Market, in collaboration with the City Council of Palma and the Council of Mallorca, among other organizations.
