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Jamones Popi celebration, Estepona promenade.
Credit: Salvador José Guerrero Román – FB
Estepona, Spain, is currently hosting one of Malaga Province’s most important summer gastronomic events, the 10th World Ham Festival ‘Popi, Ciudad de Estepona’, running until Sunday, August 17.
Organised by prize-winning ham cutter José María Téllez, or ‘Popi’ to his friends, and Estepona Council, the festival has become a national benchmark for promoting Iberian ham and its derivatives and the biggest of its kind in Andalusia.
The event is held at the Estepona promenade and features over 200 professional ham-cutters. It’s one of the world’s largest specialized tastings. Organiser Téllez reckons that there will be over half a million visitors, judging by 2024’s turnout, drawn by the quality and variety of products, along with a lively cultural and musical schedule.
The festival celebrates the culinary heritage of Spain and showcases the artistic talent of ham cutters. There are nightly free concerts that feature diverse musical acts, bringing the party and multicultural ambience.
Open every day from 7pm-2am, this festival allows visitors to buy Iberian ham and pork derivatives. It also offers the opportunity to sample the delights available.
The whole event costs just €5 to enter, and by the time visitors have tasted something at all 65 stalls, there probably won’t be very much room left for dinner.
Live cutting demonstrations allow attendees to enjoy freshly sliced ham, paired with wine from Sierras de Málaga Designation of Origin or local craft beers available at all bars.
The event is supported by the ‘Sabor a Málaga’ brand of the Provincial Council and the Andalusian Tourism Board. Estepona’s mayor, José María García Urbano, lauded the festival’s role in boosting the city’s national profile, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to promoting Spain’s traditional products and cultural selection.
