How to Avoid Bad Luck in the New Year
New Year’s Eve is called Noche Vieja in Spain. In Mallorcan, that would be Cap d’Any. The end of the year is particularly significant this year, both in Spain and […]
The Festa de l’Estendard
One of the most colourful celebrations in Mallorca is the annual Festa de l’Estendard on December 31st (tomorrow), celebrating the conquest of Madînat Mayûrqa, now Palma, by the troops of […]
Siurells as Nativity Scenes
I like Mallorcan Siurells or Xiurells, hand-made white clay whistles decorated subtly with green and red markings. During the Christmas period, we can find Siurell figures and animals molded into […]
Seaside Pleasures
I am not a friend of the fixation on Christmas decorations in the streets of our pueblos and towns, especially not those in Palma. It all seems overly commercial and materialistic, […]
The Winter Solstice Performance
I am very sorry if this blog entry happens to be an annual rerun but, there you go. We are coming up for another Winter Solstice the day after tomorrow (December […]
Modern Street Poetry
Sometimes, if luck is on your side and you are patient enough to look, you can encounter poetry or lyrics in Palma’s streets, and proverbs. Such outpourings might come in […]
This Year’s Nativity Scenes
It’s this time of the year again. Belén time, Betlem time, time of Nativity scenes. I have a number of personal favourites, as every year. In Palma, I would suggest […]
The Latest Addition to the Spanish Armada
Sometimes it happens that I get excited. This mostly happens when I get a chance to do something or go somewhere that I have longed to do or to go […]
The Concert de la Immaculada
Spain is celebrating another public holiday today, that of the Immaculate Conception. Fittingly, the Orquestra Simfònica de Balears “Ciutat de Palma” will hold a concert in Palma’s La Seu Cathedral […]
Poetical Minimalism
Cecilia Segura is a youngish artist (1974) with Mallorcan roots, based in Barcelona, with currently a fascinating exhibition at Palma’s Casal Solleric (November 25th, 2011, to January 15th, 2012). The exhibition […]
The Iglesia de Montesión
In Mallorca, and in particular in the island capital Palma, one continuously encounters relics and historical monuments indicative of wrongdoing, bloodshed, skirmish, conflict, struggle, defeat, massacre, annihilation and general misdemeanour. Often, these […]
Moving Back Home
You may or may not remember that I had told you about my little episode with a Chinese hairdresser in Manacor, earlier this year. Yesterday, I noticed that bang next […]
Beato Ramon Llull
Spain is a country largely influenced by the Catholic church. The impact of religion here may be somewhat diminished when compared to, say, fifty or a hundred years ago, but […]
An Act Of Delusion
The Spanish voter has spoken, or so he thinks. In yesterday’s General Elections, the government of José Maria Rodríguez Zapatero was defeated by a big margin. PP, the opposition party […]
The Courtyard Of The Montesión College
Sadly, some of the nicest courtyards in Palma de Mallorca are not accessible to the public, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Take for instance the patio (courtyard) of the Colegio […]
The Gothic Altarpiece
La Seu, Palma’s Cathedral of Light, is always worth a visit. In case you haven’t been back to the Cathedral, you might wish to consider revisiting. Recently, scaffolding was lifted […]
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