Celebrating Balearic Islands Day

The Institut d’Estudis Balearics (IEB) is set to dazzle the Balearic Islands with a series of Catalan music concerts, marking the 2024 Balearic Islands Day celebrations.

This year, Balearic Islands Day falls on Friday, February 1, but from February 24 to April 20, the islands will resonate with the sound of local talent, all in the name of bringing the Catalan language closer to the youth through the all-embracing medium of music.

The festivities will officially begin with Matilde Escalas’s performance in Sineu, setting the stage for a diverse lineup of artists including Bluesmafia and Es Saligardos in Santanyi, and Mary Lambourne alongside Gori Matas in Menorca. Not to be missed, Maria Florit and Julia Colom will grace stages in Ibiza and Formentera, respectively.

This initiative, backed by the IEB’s collaboration with most island town councils, underscores a significant investment in cultural expression and language promotion, with grants aiding the incorporation of local Catalan-speaking artists. A staggering 84 per cent of local entities have signed up, demonstrating widespread support for the cause.

Llorenc Perello, the IEB director, passionately remarked on the importance of ‘promoting the use of the Catalan language among the youngest through music’. This effort not only highlights the rich musical heritage of the Balearic Islands but also ensures its future vibrancy and relevance.

As the concerts spread across Mallorca and its sister islands, they offer a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the Catalan language, wrapped in the universal language of music.