It’s a little after six in the afternoon and the heat is pressing. The thermometer of Vara de Rey marks 31 degrees so it is not surprising that there is still little atmosphere in the Trobada d’artesans i oficis d’Eivissa for the Festes de la Terra, which this year beats record participation with 80 artisans.
Gloria Elena Marรญn, teixedora de punt has not participated since 2018 in this traditional event of the Festes de la Terra. “It is an honor and a privilege to be here,” she says while showing some of the original handmade products she makes using the Japanese technique known as amigurumi.
At one of the stands of ‘Randes d’Eivissa’, Maria Antรฒnia Teixidor comments with her companions, among them, Carmina Merchante, who has had to call the attention of some tourists who have taken the fans from the table without permission to get some air. Those that Francisco Cordero has in his bobbin lace stand, made with natural fibers, already warns that they are more to show off as an accessory than to cool off. At his side, his daughter, Rocรญo, 8 years old, demonstrates that she is an apprentice of this craft making a dream catcher.
Among the local craft associations attending the event organized by the Ibiza City Council is that of ‘Eines i Feines’. In one of their stalls work the sisters Maria, Antรฒnia and Pepita Ribas, accompanied by four students who are learning with them to spin, including the vice president of the organization, Antรฒnia Felicรณ. “They are our successors, they are making their debut at the Trobada,” Pepita proudly remarks.
Stela Ivanova walks with her husband and grandson through the fair contemplating with attention and admiration the work of the artisans. “We came from Santa Eulร ria on purpose to enjoy the inauguration of the Festes de la Terra”, explains this Bulgarian who has been living on the island for twenty years.
“At the Festes de la Terra we gift life”
At one end of the promenade, in the shade, the mayor of Ibiza, Rafa Ruiz, and the councilors of the local executive prepare the gifts that in a few minutes will be distributed among the 35 stalls at the fair. ‘A las Festes de la Terra regalam vida’ (At the Festes de la Terra we gift life) can be read on the box containing the gifts for the artisans, bags with various seeds and a hat from the brand K de Kose Kose, which Joan Tur, from Fluxร Ibiza, does not take a second to put on when the mayor gives it to him. Minutes later he converses with two tourists, Daisy, from England, and Milly, from Australia, who, in addition to buying him a small bottle of caleta coffee and a packet of salt from Ibiza, ask him what is being celebrated in s’Alamera. He, very kindly, explains that what they are seeing “is the other Ibiza, the one of a hundred years ago” and invites them to stay a little longer to see the ball pagรจs demonstration of the Colla de sa Bodega.
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