In Mallorca, the last Sunday before Easter is called El Dia del Ram (Palm Sunday). Olive branches are blessed and given to the churchgoers, or anyone coming along for the asking.

In reality, Easter celebrations started already a few days ago. The first Easter processions were held in Palma (Processó dels Estendards) and in some pueblos last Friday, and more will be held today and tomorrow and every day of next week, all over the island.

Felanitx was busy last night rehearsing its annual Davallament (depicting the Passion of Christ and the taking of the body down from the cross), to be performed next Friday (Divendres Sant, Good Friday). Today at 17h00, Felanitx will celebrate a Vía Crucis, up to the top of Puig d’es Calvari.

I attended a Concert de Pasqua last night at the Església de Son Negre (Manacor), given by the excellent choir, Tenim Cantera, and directed by the very devoted Irina Cotseli. The Coral Polifònica was performing Lieder and Nocturnes by a number of composers from the Renaissance period (Orlande de Lassus, Jacob Arcadelt etc.) as well as by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. If you ever have a chance to see – and hear – Tenim Cantera, you should not give it a miss, Easter time or not.

I will refrain from giving you a complete run-down of this year’s Easter events on the island. There are plenty of activities of interest, processions, church services, concerts, plays and other performances that are worth attending. Even after more than 20 years in Mallorca, I am still in awe of the drama and the visual impact of the local Easter processions. Full listings can be obtained from your local town-hall, the local newspapers or the Internet. For Easter processions in Palma, try this link.

The photo was taken near Manacor, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: March 27th, 2010. The time was 19:20:37.