The APB preserves the memories of Balearic Island lighthouse-keepers by publishing a book and comic
Palma
13/11/2017
This morning at the Portopí Lighthouse, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) presented two recently published works: Faros de sa Dragonera, which is dedicated to the three lighthouses on the island and preserves the memories of families that inhabited them: and A la luz del faro. Testimonio de los últimos fareros baleares, a comic that honours a trade that is soon to disappear.
With these books, the APB intends to collect and conserve the experiences of those who inhabited the lighthouses. Furthermore, it also intends to demystify the false belief that lighthouse-keepers are solitary and introverted people. Both pieces demonstrate that lighthouse-keepers are professionals who adore their families and who master an endless range of skills.
Joan Gual de Torrella, the president of the APB, explained to those in attendance that the current maritime signalling technology does not require a human presence to undertake the daily work and that the lighthouse-keeper trade is on course to disappear. Gual said: "the will of the APB is, on the one hand, to maintain the interior and equipment of those buildings, and, on the other, to collect the personal testimony of those who have done so much for our safety."
Javier Pérez Arévalo, the author of Faros de sa Dragonera, Rif Spahni, photograph of the book, Raimond Jaume, coordinator of A la luz del faro. Testimonio de los últimos fareros baleares and Gonzalo Aeneas, its illustrator, all attended the presentation.
Both books can be seen online on www.portsdebalears.com
Links:
A la luz del faro. Testimonio de los últimos fareros baleares
