Large crowds turn out for the first Open Day at the port of Mahon
APB President Javier Sanz delighted with the public's response to the port festival
Maó
07/06/2025
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is delighted with the response of the Menorcan population to the first edition of the Open Ports Day in the port of Mahon, which saw a large turnout from all sectors of the public. More than forty public, private and non-profit organisations were involved in the port festival which brought the general public closer to the activities of ports of general interest and lighthouses.
The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, said he was "satisfied and surprised by the large number of people and the interest we have awakened in the port, which is ultimately what we wanted". Sanz emphasised the numerous activities of various kinds and the displays of port trades which have been concentrated in various locations, "which are the soul of the port, which is what interests us".
The event was led by President Sanz, along with the mayor of Mahon, Héctor Pons, the mayor of Es Castell, Lluís Camps, the Minister for the Sea and Water Cycle of the Balearic Islands Government, Juan Manuel Lafuente, and the president of the Menorca Island Council, Adolfo Vilafranca.
The APB trophy, which counts towards the Balearic OCR cruiser championship, is one of the highlights of the programme. The sailing regatta, organised by the Mahon Maritime Club, set sail from the harbour in Mahón, right in front of the crowd gathered on the cruise ship pier. Maritime activities such as visits to the pilot boats, Maritime Rescue, moorings and tugboats have been very popular.
The visits to the Favàritx lighthouse, the fishing dock, the naval station in the port of Mahón, the military fortifications of La Mola and Marlborough, the King's Island, the mussel farms and the excursions with swallows around the port have also been very popular.
There were also activities for children organised by the Mahon Local Police, the 112 emergency service, the Menorca fire brigade and the Port Police, which attracted a lot of attention from the youngest members of the family.
Travelling festival
Port Festa-Viu el port is an initiative that the APB launched in 2023 in the port of Palma, which this year was held in the port of Mahon and which next year is planned to be taken to the port of Ibiza, before coming to the ports of Alcudia and La Savina. This is a commitment of the port organisation in its Corporate Social Responsibility policy to unify and reinforce the identity and culture of the ports and to serve as a guide for the rest of the people and companies operating in its installations.
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