On 4 December, the day dedicated to Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners, the MINES.B Federation joins its European partners in celebrating an occasion that has always served as a bridge between memory and identity in mining regions. From East to West across Europe, museums, cultural institutions, associations and local communities come together in a wide network of initiatives, all driven by the desire to keep alive a heritage that belongs to generations of workers and their families.
Among the most significant events is the one organised by the Slovak partners of Barborská cesta, who once again this year are hosting their traditional Svätobarborský Charitatívny Punč, the charity punch that has become an identity symbol of the city of Banská Bystrica. The 2025 edition takes on particular significance for the Federation, as it will also feature the Slovak premiere of the documentary “Voices from the Mines / Hlasy z baní”, created by young videomakers selected through the MINES.B international call.
After the screening, a discussion will follow with the two Slovak videomakers, Lenka Príbojová and Timo Trnovec, who will share with the audience their creative process and the importance of this audiovisual project in portraying the life of European mining communities. The entire event will also support the maintenance and development of the Barborská cesta route.
A rich programme of activities also animates the Comarca Andorra Sierra de Arcos in Spain, where the celebration of Santa Barbara remains deeply rooted in the local community. Over the weekend of 29 and 30 November, the MWINAS Mining Museum opens its doors for visits to the Pozo San Juan. On 29 November, the community gathers for the screening of the documentary Voces de la Mina with the participation of author Raúl Bélver, followed by a traditional hot chocolate. The following day is dedicated to honouring the oldest miners of the region, with a ceremony culminating in a floral tribute to Santa Bárbara, accompanied by local dance and jota groups. Celebrations conclude on 4 December with a solemn mass, the procession of giant figures, music by dulzaineros and the traditional Spanish wine shared with the entire community.
In Portugal, the Municipality of Aljustrel also plays an important role, as 4 December marks the second anniversary of the Aljustrel Mining Park. The day opens with a conference dedicated to the Iberian Pyrite Belt trail network and continues with the inauguration of the photography exhibition Monochromes of the Aljustrel Mine, a visual journey that captures the nuances and atmosphere of Portugal’s mining past. In the afternoon, the park hosts a public guided tour, offering visitors the chance to explore the spaces, structures and stories that define this important cultural site.
In France, Mission Bassin Minier in the Pas-de-Calais region pays tribute to miners with the impressive Festival de la Sainte Barbe, a true festival of arts and fire that lights up numerous towns, from Lens to Liévin and from Loos-en-Gohelle to Oignies. During the week leading up to 4 December, the area becomes a cultural stage filled with fire shows, light installations, theatre performances, concerts, workshops and guided visits through key sites of the UNESCO-listed mining landscape. The celebrations culminate with the grand Sainte Barbe procession and spectacular pyrotechnic finales that each year attract thousands of visitors.
Also in France, the Cité des Électriciens offers a weekend dedicated to creativity, community involvement and the rediscovery of local heritage. On 6 and 7 December, visitors can explore exhibitions, participate in workshops, enjoy light installations and experience artistic moments involving schools and residents. Highlights include the exhibition Des tubercules et des nuages, the film Graines de Coron, family-oriented artistic activities, and the inauguration of the light installation Quand on quitte le jour, which each evening poetically reveals the soul of the miners’ settlement.
The celebration of Saint Barbara provides, year after year, a valuable opportunity to rediscover shared stories, bonds and identities. The initiatives promoted by MINES.B partners demonstrate a continued commitment to preserving and enhancing a heritage that, although rooted in industrial history, remains vibrant through culture, art and community participation. The MINES.B Federation is proud to support these events and to contribute to shaping a European narrative of mining memory, one that unites diverse territories under a tradition that continues to renew itself every 4th of December.
