Salt, one of the main historical drivers of Ibiza’s economy, is once again the star of the island’s cultural calendar. From October 16 to 18, Sant Josep de sa Talaia hosts the 10th edition of the Salt Fair, an initiative that has spent a decade preserving and promoting the historical, economic, cultural, and natural heritage linked to the salt flats of Ibiza.
Organized by the Town Hall of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, with the support of the Council of Ibiza and in collaboration with the Ses Salines Natural Park, the fair celebrates its tenth anniversary by reviving traditions and connecting residents and visitors with the historical, cultural, economic, and natural heritage generated around salt harvesting. An activity that connected Ibiza with various parts of the Mediterranean and Europe and left a deep mark on the lives of its communities.
This year’s event has opted for an immersive presentation. At the Parish Church of Sant Francesc de s’Estany, actor Miquel Vingut, dressed in traditional salt-pan worker attire, invites visitors to touch and feel the salt before guiding them on a tour that evokes the origins of this activity. The experience served as a reminder of how the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs helped develop the extraction and trade of a resource that, for centuries, was essential for preserving food, producing salted fish, and bringing prosperity to the island.
The mayor of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Vicente Roig, has highlighted the establishment of the Salt Fair as a key event on the island’s calendar and the growing interest it is generating among visitors. He also highlighted the historic role of Sant Josep and Sant Francesc in Ibiza’s economy and the need to keep this heritage alive. In the same vein, the Director of Island Tourism at the Ibiza Council, Juan Miguel Costa, has emphasized the importance of passing this history on to younger generations to ensure the continuity of traditions.
Tradition, outreach, and experiences for all audiences
The program will revive some of the most characteristic traditions of working in the salt flats. These include the lighting of the Bonfire, the beacon that in times past marked the start of the season and summoned the workers, as well as demonstrations of manual salt harvesting, which offer a firsthand look at a craft that has gradually transformed due to mechanization.
Dramatized tours of the Red Salt Tower, folk performances, the “peasant dance,” activities related to the Ses Salines ecosystem, and the craft market in Sant Jordi Square will complete a program that explores salt from various perspectives: historical, economic, social, and environmental.
One of the new features of this tenth edition will be the miniconference ‘Salt of the Earth and Salt of the Sea,’ presented by historian Antoni Ferrer Abárzuza. The event will feature Andreu Galera, a PhD and director of the Cardona Historical Archive, and José Miguel Marí, a salt farmer from Salinera Española, who will explore the historical importance of salt and its relationship with the communities that have made a living from it.
The City Council’s Tourism Coordinator, Eva Ruiz, has highlighted the educational value of a fair that combines immersive activities with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the salt tradition. The program will also include an initiative aimed specifically at seniors, titled ‘La Fira de la Sal con nuestros mayores’ (The Salt Fair with our elders), with the goal of recognizing those who keep the memory of this activity alive.
On Saturday, October 17, St. George’s Square will be the setting for many of the family-friendly events. There will be art and painting workshops for children and adults, aromatic salt-making sessions, children’s activities, and a craft market. The day’s program will include the Salipinta awards ceremony, a contest that invites participants to depict the landscape, wildlife, flora, and traditions of Ses Salines. This year, for the first time, the contest includes a category for those over 18, expanding participation beyond children. The winning works will be exhibited on the porch of the Church of Sant Jordi during the festivities.
Gastronomy will also play a prominent role. Cooking demonstrations will revive traditional recipes, production and preservation techniques, with dishes like “bones with cabbage,” an example of how the legacy of salt remains present in Ibiza’s cuisine and customs.
Xicu and Jordi, guardians of the history of the salt flats
The cultural aspect of the fair is enhanced by the presence of Xicu and Jordi, the two festive giants representing Sant Francesc de s’Estany and Sant Jordi de ses Salines. Standing 2.5 meters tall, they have become symbols of tradition and guardians of a heritage that the organizers want to pass on to future generations.
Inspired by the giants and dwarves of popular culture, they are handmade with materials such as recycled cardboard, esparto baskets, and hemp and flax fabrics. Their appearance evokes the values that have characterized work at the salt flats for generations: hard work, solidarity, companionship, and a sense of belonging.
Their presence at the Fair links tangible heritage with intangible heritage and reinforces the desire to turn the celebration into a shared experience between generations. Along the same lines, the family activities and storytelling sessions at the Salt Auditorium, organized by Accions Teatrals Miquel Vingut, will bring the history of salt production closer to a younger audience.
To commemorate its tenth anniversary, the organization has also launched its own website where visitors can check the program and the latest news about this year’s event, which will have Cardona as the guest city. This collaboration strengthens the ties between regions whose history is closely linked to salt production and culture.
After ten editions, Sant Josep de sa Talaia once again places this resource at the heart of its cultural program. From October 16 to 18, the Salt Fair offers a journey through more than two millennia of history to recall how an economic activity helped shape the landscape, identity, and prosperity of Ibiza. A celebration that looks to the future while rooted in its origins, and which aims to keep alive a legacy shared by the entire island.