Who is the German businessman behind the Feixina Christmas Market?

PalmOne of the main companies participating in the Feixina Christmas Market is Barca Samba SL, owned by German national Bernhard Gewessler. This company specializes in nautical charters, organizing excursions and all kinds of private events, from parties to weddings and even funerals. However, according to the municipal registry, its activity at the Christmas market has little connection to the maritime sector. The stalls it operates under this brand offer wine and hot chocolate, baskets of Mallorcan products, and a wide variety of Christmas items and services that have nothing to do with the sea.

The Feixina Christmas Market in Palma has stirred controversy after it was revealed that the stalls do not belong to local artisans, but are registered in the names of two businessmen with no connection to crafts: Gewessler and Austrian national Gerald Kendlbacher. Between them, they own 45 of the 61 stalls at the market.

On one hand, Kendlbacher controls 29 stalls and is considered one of the main promoters of the event. On the other, the German Gewessler is listed as the owner of 16 stalls. Thus, the vast majority of the market is concentrated in the hands of these two businessmen.

The main company linked to Gewessler is Barca Samba SL, a company dedicated to renting boats for excursions and organizing tours Exclusively for private parties, weddings, birthdays, baptisms, funerals, and other gatherings with family and friends. According to the commercial registry, its corporate purpose is "the purchase, sale, rental, and operation of recreational and passenger transport vessels," along with "the operation of bars, cafes, restaurants, and party venues," also "on board vessels."

In principle, this activity has little relation to what is offered in the stalls of the Feixina Christmas market: gifts, Christmas decorations, baskets of products, sweets, and souvenirs.

Gewessler and Kendlbacher founded Parque Mágico de Navidad SL this year, the company listed as the main operator of the Feixina Christmas Market. With Gewessler joining as a joint administrator in November, the company's share capital increased from €100 to €50,000. Furthermore, on March 14th of this year, Gewessler established Produzione Gastronomía Italiana Baleari SL, with a share capital of €3,000, dedicated to "the operation of all types of restaurants and bars, as well as the manufacture, import, export, purchase, and sale of Italian food." Under this company, there are four registered stalls, which in this case do align with its stated business activities: they sell Christmas hampers, pizza and related products, panettone, sweets, sandwiches, and rolls.