Pioneers of Their Time: 26 Women Who Guided Mariners in Spain

The Consell de Mallorca presents the exhibition "Fareras. The Light That Guides Us," a showcase that celebrates the history and legacy of the women who lived and worked in lighthouses, a profession traditionally reserved for men.

This exhibition will open this Saturday, October 12, and will be available until May 18, 2025, at the Sóller venue of the Museu Marítim de Mallorca.

Curated by filmmaker Cristina Rodríguez Paz, the exhibition combines history, art, and personal testimonies to offer visitors an immersive experience that explores the lives of the lighthouse keepers. Only 26 women have held this role in the entire history of Spain.

Through works by artists such as Alicia Esteban, Heidi Hassan, Mariana Laín, and Miluca Sanz, as well as photographs by David Carretero, Miguel Muñiz, and the curator herself, both the professional and personal aspects of the lighthouse keepers are explored.

The Vice President of the Consell de Mallorca and Councilor for Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca, explains that the journey is organized around two axes: on one hand, the graphic works, texts, and photographs printed on canvases; and on the other, the works hung on the walls. Visitors will find illustrations by Alicia Esteban, collages, and an installation by Miluca Sanz, which allude to the first women who lived in the lighthouses, long before women were officially allowed to be lighthouse keepers.

The exhibition dedicates a special space to the protagonists of the feature film "The Light That Guides Us," with mosaics of photographs and illustrations that narrate the stories of six lighthouse keepers. Through texts by lighthouse keepers Mar Vidal and Elvira Pujol, one can understand the personal meaning that lighthouses have for them. Oil paintings by Mariana Laín and an assembly work by Heidi Hassan can also be contemplated. In addition to the artistic works, there will also be antique lighthouse pieces provided by Ports Balears.

One of the highlights of the show is the final installation that contains the names of the 26 women who have worked in the lighthouses of Spain throughout history. This list serves as a visual and emotional reminder of the path women have traversed in a profession where their role has often been invisible. The exhibition is complemented by a short film that captures the spirit of the documentary, presenting first-person testimonials from the lighthouse keepers.