Mallorca has officially launched the Year of Joan Alcover with a commemorative institutional event held at the Gran Hotel de Palma, marking the anniversary of the first public reading of La Balanguera on 15 February 1903 by Joan Alcover. Hosting the ceremony at the same historic venue reinforces the symbolic value of the occasion and places the poet’s legacy at the heart of the island’s cultural agenda, coinciding with the centenary of his death.

During the event, the President of the Consell of Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, emphasised the institutional and cultural significance of the poem, highlighting its role as the official anthem of Mallorca and its enduring ability to convey the island’s collective memory. Over time, La Balanguera has become a unifying symbol that links past and present generations through a shared cultural identity.

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The Year of Joan Alcover opens with an institutional tribute to La Balanguera at the Gran Hotel de Palma

The ceremony revisited the landmark moment that marked the poem’s public recognition and positioned it as a central element of the commemorative programme dedicated to Joan Alcover. Historical context was provided by Maria Antònia Perelló, while the poem was read by Josep Lluís Pol, lending the tribute a formal and reflective tone.

One of the highlights of the event was the musical performance of La Balanguera by the Youth Choir of the Teatro Principal de Palma, which added emotional depth and solemnity to the celebration. The ceremony brought together institutional representatives from the cultural and tourism sectors, along with collaborating cultural organisations, marking the beginning of a year dedicated to reaffirming the relevance and cultural legacy of Joan Alcover in Mallorca.