The 2nd Pyrenean Oil Fair begins in Aramunt to vindicate the production of mountain liquid gold

Alba Mor/Aramunt - The town of Aramunt, in the Conca de Dalt (Pallars Jussà), becomes the epicenter of mountain oil this weekend as part of the 2nd Pyrenean Oil Fair. After a “successful” first edition, according to the mayor of the Conca de Dalt, Marc Sans, this year the event presents new features, although the objective remains to promote Pallars oil. While this Saturday the fair takes on an institutional and technical character, with the inauguration of the event and conferences, Sunday will focus on recreational events such as a market for local products and machinery and oil tastings, among others. Since 2015, between 30 and 40 local olive varieties have been identified in Pallars.

Although the fair is an end-of-season celebration, it also serves as a way for producers to promote mountain oil and its potential among the residents of the town and the region. The president of the Pallars Oil Producers Association, Oriol Sullà, highlighted that the distinguishing feature of this product lies in the high level of antioxidants, which makes the oil more bitter and spicy. “It is the famous polyphenols that make the oil have more character,” he explained.

The opening ceremony of the competition took place at the municipality's oil mill. The event was attended by the mayor of Conca de Dalt, Marc Sans; the delegate of the Government in Alt Pirineu and Aran, Sílvia Romero; and the president of the Pallars Jussà Regional Council, Ramon Jordana.

After the initial speeches, experts presented the catalogue of olive varieties from Pallars Jussà and highlighted that some of them are “unique” in the world. The document brings together the results of research that began 10 years ago. “We have identified between 30 and 40 varieties”, said Sullà, who also positively assessed the evolution of this field work. “We have done a lot of good work in a short time, you just have to see the good numbers of the oils from Pallars in the different competitions. We are going in the right direction”, he said.

In fact, in the first edition of the Nit de l’Oli, held last December in Fatarella (Terra Alta), a total of 4 producers from the area – all of whom entered the competition – were awarded 23 awards out of a total of 83.

The inauguration ceremony also recognised the work of the local miller and producers and ended with an oil tasting.

A well-received event

The Pyrenees Oil Fair was born in Aramunt last year with success in terms of participation and reception. “For a small town council, a fair of this nature is a significant effort,” said Sans, who also assured that “as long as we have energy, we will continue to do it.”

As a novelty, this year’s edition has included cultural activities, such as an artistic show by ‘’Al teu Gust’’ and the presentation of an exhibition. For this Saturday afternoon, the event includes technical sessions on the marketing of oil.

On Sunday, the municipality will host a market with oil stalls, agricultural machinery, agri-food products and local and artisan publications. Likewise, oil tastings, workshops on the different uses of olive oil in cooking and an open day at the oil mill have also been scheduled. The event will conclude around noon with a vermouth concert by Ribatònics.