XTANT 2026: A Global Celebration of Textile Art

This May, XTANT NOMAD 2026 in Palma de Mallorca will unite global artisans in a celebration of textile art, craftsmanship and the enduring relevance of ancestral knowledge

At XTANT NOMAD 2026 from 8-12 of May, Palma de Mallorca will once again be transformed into a global meeting point for textile art, craftsmanship and cultural exchange.

Now in its seventh edition, the festival has evolved from an intimate gathering into one of Europe’s most vital platforms for contemporary textile expression, championing a slower, more considered definition of luxury rooted in the handmade.

Craft, Context and Contemporary Practice

Founded by Asociación TRAMA TEXTILES in collaboration with Woven Memory SL and supported by Ajuntament de Palma and Consell de Mallorca, XTANT has become a cultural landmark within the city.

The 2026 edition will bring together more than 90 artists from over 35 countries, welcoming thousands of visitors to Palma’s historic sites.

In doing so, it continues to position the city as a destination for textile heritage and artistic excellence, reshaping its identity through craft and culture.

NOMAD: Remembering Ancestral Knowledge

This year’s theme ‘NOMAD’ reflects on the enduring wisdom of nomadic cultures and humanity’s deep-rooted connection to land and material.

In parallel with the United Nations’ recognition of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the programme encourages a renewed appreciation for traditions grounded in ecological awareness, care and resourcefulness.

Rather than looking backwards with nostalgia, XTANT invites visitors to consider how these practices might inform contemporary life, offering insight, resilience and a sense of balance in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Living Exhibitions and Material Futures

Across venues including Can Vivot and Castell de Bellver, visitors can encounter a dynamic programme of exhibitions, installations, talks and workshops.

The Art & Artisan Gallery will function as a living exhibition, where collectors, designers and the public can engage directly with makers and their processes.

A standout installation, Sueños de Lana (“Dreams of Wool”), reimagines wool as both material and cultural memory, highlighting efforts to revive Mallorca’s local textile ecosystem.

More than an event, XTANT continues to redefine cultural tourism, fostering meaningful exchange while supporting heritage economies and sustainable practices.

As co-founder Kavita Parmar suggests, it is ultimately a celebration of belonging: to the land, to one another, and to the enduring intelligence of the hand.

This May, join a global celebration of the handmade, the human, and the enduring wisdom of those who tread lightly on the earth.

Words by Libbi Kettle