Sant Joan de Labritja has announced its main municipal distinctions for 2026, recognising three people and groups closely connected to the municipality’s cultural traditions and sporting life.

The awards were approved during the municipal Plenary session on Thursday, September 24.

Among the honours is the Gold Medal of the Municipality, awarded posthumously to Antoni Planells Tur, better known as Toni d’en Planes.

Gold Medal for Toni d’en Planes

Toni d’en Planes has been awarded Sant Joan’s Gold Medal in recognition of his lifelong contribution to preserving and transmitting Ibiza’s cultural and ethnographic heritage.

Born in 1930 at Can Planes in Pla Roig, Sant Miquel, Planells dedicated much of his life to traditional Ibiza culture.

His work included the preservation and transmission of sonades, traditional drum and castanet playing and ball pagès, helping pass these traditions on to younger generations.

He was also a key figure in the creation of Grup Folklòric Balansat in 1965.

Through his involvement with traditional culture, he helped bring Ibiza’s heritage to festivals and cultural gatherings beyond the island.

A posthumous recognition

The Gold Medal was awarded after Planells' death on June 14, 2026.

Among the distinctions he received during his lifetime was the Premi Ramon Llull from the Balearic Government in 1998. He was also honoured by the Federació de Colles de Ball i Cultura Popular d’Eivissa in 2016.

The new municipal distinction recognises his longstanding contribution to the preservation of Ibiza’s traditional culture, particularly in Sant Miquel and Sant Joan de Labritja.

Recognition for the parish obrers

The municipality has also awarded its 2026 Citizen Merit distinction to the obrers of the parishes of Sant Joan, Sant Miquel, Sant Llorenç and Sant Vicent, as well as those of the Chapel of Portinatx.

The recognition acknowledges a traditional role connected with the maintenance and improvement of the local churches, participation in important celebrations and the continuation of traditions in the different villages.

The distinction covers those currently carrying out the role, as well as those who held the responsibility in the past and those who will continue it in the future.

Sports Merit for Penya Independent Club de Patinatge

The municipality's 2026 Sports Merit distinction has been awarded to Penya Independent Club de Patinatge.

The recognition highlights the club's contribution to local sport and forms part of Sant Joan's annual municipal honours.

Celebrating Sant Joan's local heritage

Together, the three distinctions recognise different aspects of life in Sant Joan de Labritja.

Toni d’en Planes is being remembered for his contribution to Ibiza's traditional culture, the parish obrers for their role in maintaining religious and community traditions, and Penya Independent Club de Patinatge for its sporting activity.

The awards reflect the municipality's recognition of people and groups that have contributed to its cultural, community and sporting life.