The talk by Marc Castellnou, inspector of the Forest Action Support Group (GRAF) of the Catalan Firefighters, was a highlight, emphasizing the role of the Mediterranean landscape and dry crops in the extinction of forest fires. Castellnou exposed the critical situation of forests in Catalonia, stressing that climate change has generated a permanent thermal deficit in the vegetation.
“"Given the energy released by current fires, firefighters cannot survive or attack the fire if the territory is not prepared. The limit of improvement for the extinction system has already been reached; the margin for improvement now only resides in investing in the territory."
The fair consolidated its social dimension with the “Oil Links” project, which includes the initiative “Roots that unite lands: recovering the olive tree, defending the land in Palestine”. Funds were raised to reinforce the productive capacity and resilience of 15 farming families in the municipalities of Ramallah and Salfit who have suffered direct damage or the uprooting of their olive groves.
Gastronomy took center stage with numerous showcookings demonstrating the versatility of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Renowned chefs participated, such as Xavier Benet from Hostal Benet in Les Borges Blanques, and Gonçal Ferreruela from the Ferreruela restaurant in Lleida, along with other professionals like Montserrat Guardiola and Mercè Camins.
The Oleoteca, a municipal facility established last year, hosted eight tastings led by chef Montse Freixa, designed to debunk popular myths and introduce the aromas of olive oil to the general public. Concurrently, the experiential sessions of the 'Oil Road' attracted about sixty people from all over Catalonia.
