A large private party held at sa Pedrera de Can Coix in Sant Antoni has become one of the most controversial and widely discussed events of the summer in Ibiza. What began as a highly secretive gathering has turned into a political, neighbourhood and environmental controversy, involving the use of municipal land, the fee paid by the organizers, the scale of the production and the consumption of water while the island remains under a pre-drought alert.
The event took place on August 13 and was organized by Van Wyck & Van Wyck, an international New York-based company specializing in luxury private celebrations and high-end events. The party had municipal authorization, with a permitted schedule running from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and a maximum capacity of 350 guests.
The origins: a secret party with an ancient Egyptian theme
The first public clues about the event emerged on social media, particularly through the Instagram account @pharaohsball, where images and messages referencing Ancient Egypt, pyramids, Cleopatra and the eclipse were shared. One of the messages featured the phrase “when the moon across the sun”, referring to the moment when the Moon passes in front of the Sun.
The elaborate theme was no coincidence. Preparations to transform sa Pedrera de Can Coix into a spectacular Ancient Egyptian-inspired setting began on July 26 and continued for more than two weeks.
The production included a large pyramid, an artificial lake, a temple, a sphinx, obelisks, Egyptian-themed walls, lighting towers and extensive sound, lighting and video-mapping equipment.
The former Can Coix quarry, which is owned by the municipality, remained occupied throughout the preparation, event and dismantling phases, meaning that the site was effectively used for at least three weeks.
Municipal land rented for €199
One of the issues that generated the strongest public reaction was the amount paid by the organizers to use sa Pedrera.
The Sant Antoni Town Hall told Diario de Ibiza that the event promoters had paid just €199 in municipal activity fees.
The council explained that it does not have a specific tax ordinance regulating fees for the occupation of this type of public space. It also pointed out that the event had “a strong charitable component”, as the organizers had planned donations of €40,000 to Cáritas Sant Antoni and €10,000 to Motoclub Formentera and Eivissa.
Nevertheless, the contrast between the scale of the luxury event and the €199 fee paid for the use of municipal land quickly became a major subject of public debate.
Instagram Van Wick / Tinx / Teresa De la Pisa
Political criticism and concern among local residents
The Sant Antoni branch of Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) accused Mayor Marcos Serra of being “sold out” to private events by allowing a party of this nature to take place on municipal property.
The Socialists criticized both the celebration at sa Pedrera and the authorization of the Eclipse Festival in s’Arenal, which was scheduled for the afternoon of the eclipse, when the town was expected to experience major congestion due to the arrival of thousands of people.
They described it as “very serious” that a private event had been facilitated on public land for what they considered an “insignificant” fee.
Residents in the surrounding area also raised concerns. In the days leading up to the party, they reported the movement of trucks and heavy vehicles around Can Coix, affecting access to nearby sports and educational facilities.
Further concern arose after generators and butane gas cylinders were reportedly seen in a rugged area bordering land classified as a High Fire Risk Zone (ZAR). This came at a time when Ibiza was at its highest level of wildfire risk.
An artificial lake during Ibiza’s drought alert
After the event took place, another element intensified the controversy: the artificial lake built as a central feature of the party’s elaborate stage design.
The pool covered approximately 850 square metres and had an estimated depth of around 20 centimetres. Based on those dimensions, filling it would have required at least 170 tonnes of water, according to information obtained by Diario de Ibiza.
On Saturday night, the organizers issued a statement putting the amount of water used at 60 tonnes, but did not dispute the dimensions of the lake reported by the newspaper.
The issue attracted particular attention because the Sant Antoni Town Hall itself has been running campaigns promoting responsible water consumption. In addition, Facsa, the company operating the municipality’s water service, displays a “Drought Alert” notice on its website urging residents to minimize their water consumption.
Sant Antoni distances itself from the party
As criticism over what many viewed as the frivolous use of water intensified, with residents, environmental groups and the Water Alliance expressing their outrage, Sant Antoni Town Hall issued a statement on Sunday afternoon distancing itself from the event.
The council said it had not been aware of the artificial lake, claiming that the organizers had not informed municipal authorities about it.
However, Diario de Ibiza had reported four days before the party that the spectacular production would include an artificial lake.
Ibiza is currently under a pre-drought alert, a situation that triggers a series of water-saving measures involving both local authorities and the Balearic Government.
The municipality’s own guidelines call for residents to “avoid filling swimming pools” and “avoid watering between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.”
Against this backdrop, Sant Antoni Town Hall acknowledged that installing an artificial lake was “difficult to justify” while the island was under a drought alert and expressed its “categorical” opposition to the construction of the ornamental pool.
A production “fit for a pharaoh”
Videos shared by people attending the event reveal a large-scale production, featuring visual projections across the walls of the former quarry, monumental structures, elaborate stage lighting and carefully designed Egyptian-themed surroundings.
The organizers themselves promoted the event on social media as a party “fit for a pharaoh.”
The choice of venue has added another layer to the controversy. Sa Pedrera de Can Coix was acquired by Sant Antoni Town Hall with the intention of building a new municipal cemetery. Until relatively recently, the site had even been used to store rubbish containers.
The combination of a luxury private event, municipal land, a €199 activity fee and an artificial lake requiring a substantial amount of water during Ibiza’s drought alert has turned the party into one of the most contentious events of the island’s summer.
