Gold Medal Sant Jaume 2025

La Mola Handicraft Market

Formentera, July 27, 2025
Formentera’s 2025 Diada was celebrated with an evening filled with emotion and recognition. The event, originally scheduled for July 24, the day of Sant Jaume, the island’s patron saint, was ultimately held on Friday the 25th due to forecasts of bad weather in the marquee set up in es Jardí de ses Eres, in Sant Francesc.

The ceremony, hosted by Justice of the Peace Andreu Ferrer, featured musical performances by soprano Lucía Herranz and violinist Marian Tur, in an evening dedicated to honoring those who have significantly contributed to the cultural, social, and human development of Formentera.

One of the most moving moments of the night was the awarding of the titles of Honorary Citizens to journalist Carmelo Convalia and, posthumously, to the recently deceased guitarist and cultural manager Iván Mérgola. In addition, the Sant Jaume Awards were presented to Maria Dolors Castelló, Santiago Colomar, and Maria Verdera, whose personal and professional lives embody a steadfast commitment to the island’s identity and well-being.

But without a doubt, one of the highlights of the gala was the La Mola Handicraft Market, awarded the Gold Medal, the highest institutional distinction from the Consell de Formentera.

A tribute to four decades of work

The Gold Medal of the Consell Insular, the highest institutional recognition on Formentera, was awarded in 2025 to the La Mola Handicraft Market. This distinction honors more than forty years of a fair that has become far more than just a sales venue: it is a living platform for artistic expression, a reflection of community spirit, and a model of cultural and economic sustainability.
During the ceremony, Consell President Óscar Portas highlighted that the Fira de La Mola is “an example of how a collective initiative can evolve into a solid and lasting structure without losing its essence or its artisanal roots.” In an ever-changing context, the market has remained true to its identity, adapting to new times without sacrificing the authenticity that defines it.

The award was received with emotion by Juan Mayans, owner of the land where the market is held, accompanied by two key figures from the market’s early days: jeweler Enric Mayoral and artisan Eva Baisl.
This recognition not only affirms the cultural and economic value of the market but also acknowledges the dedication of the people who, year after year, have made it possible for La Mola to remain a vital gathering place for creators, visitors, and lovers of craftsmanship.

The beginnings of the market

“I was eight years old when the market started in 1984. I remember that first summer perfectly,” says María Mayans Masdeu, daughter of Juan Mayans, owner of the land where the fair takes place. “The square was just dirt, full of dust, with the first tourists, the improvised stalls, the music, the juggling… those Sunday afternoons are part of my life.”

María also recalls the close-knit atmosphere among the artisans: “At the end of the season we would all cook paella together. We were one big family.” Over the years, she witnessed the market grow, evolve, and solidify without ever losing its essence. “My father was always there, Sunday after Sunday, making sure everything worked. And Enric Majoral, of course, is a key figure—one of the founders who still plays a part in its story.”

Today, the family still manages the event. “Now it’s my brother Xavi who keeps it alive and carries it forward,” she says proudly. “Being part of this Formentera story is an honor, and the market receiving the Gold Medal is incredibly moving. It’s a recognition of everything it stands for: culture, art, and community.

Much more than a market

Every Wednesday and Sunday, from May through October, the La Mola Handicraft Market transforms its small square into a vibrant gathering place. From 4 to 10 p.m., local artisans set up their stalls to offer visitors one-of-a-kind items: clothing, accessories, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, and other handcrafted pieces made with care and authenticity.One of the features that makes this market special is that all exhibitors hold official artisan accreditation. This guarantees not only product quality but also that each item is crafted by hand. You won’t find imported goods or mass-produced items here.

Beyond the craft offerings, the atmosphere of the market adds something truly unique. In the center of the square, live music becomes the soul of the experience. Local bands liven up the evenings with open-air concerts where adults and children alike listen, dance, and share the joy of a genuine, heartfelt moment.
If you’re visiting Formentera, you can’t leave without spending a Wednesday or Sunday afternoon at the La Mola Handicraft Market. It’s more than a market—it’s a celebration of the island’s identity, a date with its art, its people, and its way of life.