Our archives show that not all past visitors to our lovely island have always been friendly. Bokenrauf, a member of the 24th dynasty of Egyptian Pharaohs, built the magnificent city of Bocchoris (today known as “Bóquer”) overlooking the Bay of Pollensa. In 6 A.D. it already figured as a city confederated to Rome. Marco Atilio Verno was its governor. In the year 426 the Vandals launched themselves into the Mediterranean and devastated the Balearic Islands. The survivors of Pol.lentia, nowadays Alcudia, fled and gathered at the foot of El Calvario (see separate description), where they built the present-day Pollensa. The year 902 marked the beginning of the Muslim domination of the island by powerful Islam al-Hawlani. It ended in 1229 when Majorca was liberated by the Conqueror Jaime (or Jaume) the Ist. Pollença has always been a loyal town. Evidence of Pollença’s heroic determination are the ruins of the Castell del Rei (Castle of the King), a fort where those faithful to King Jaime III were besieged and fought when Pedro IV attempted to usurp the crown. To Pollensins though, the most important date is August 2, 1550 when local hero Joan Mas defeated the invading pirates sent by the Turkish admiral Dragut. This event has been celebrated since as Pollensa’s major festival. Year after year thousands of residents and visitors alike watch the mock battle between the Moors and Christians known as “Moros i Cristians”.

In 1913 the town’s own School of Art was founded. Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa, heir to impressionism, followed his own independent path and created this school which he himself directed together with Tito Cittadini. The illustration shows a work from Anglada Camarasa painted in 1936 and titled "Acantilado en Formentor" (Cliff in Formentor). They were succeeded by Robert Ramaugé, Eugene Mossgraber and many more. Joaquin Sorolla, Santiago Russiñol and Joaquin Mir also painted in Pollença. Literature is uniquely represented by local poet Miquel Costa I Llobera, autor of “Horacianes”, “La Deixa del Geni Grec”, “El Pi de Formentor” and other magnificent poems. Temple Fielding, America’s most celebrated travel writer, lived and worked in Formentor for many years. Since 1962 Pollença has been able to enjoy the works of the world’s most gifted composers. The dignity, international standing and importance of the Pollença Festival of Music (see separate entry) have enhanced the cultural reputation of the town. The home of local culture is the Pollença Club (on Pollença’s Main Square) which has promoted theatre, music, and painting since its inauguration in 1918.

POLLENÇA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

This summer we will celebrate the 43rd staging of the internationally acclaimed Pollença Music Festival. Concerts will be held over a dozen evenings (from early July to the end of August) with top performers in the beautiful cloister of Santo Domingo. Concerts begin at 10 p.m. and reservations can be made at the Town Council’s office at Guillem Cifre de Colonya Street (Tels. 971 535 077 & 971 534 012). Web Site: http://festivalpollenca.org - E-mail: info@festivalpollenca.org Artistic Director Eugen Prokop and his team have arranged another series of unforgettable performances. They begin with the group "Ensemble Le Archi della Scala" and ends with the "Beaux Arts Trio" from New York. Between these are another ten concerts that will take the Festival to its highest level. In such as special year as this, which marks one hundred years since the birth of our Founder Philip Newman, we would like to pay him a moving tribute and emotional and artistic homage with the concert offered by the "Prague Symphony Orchestra" on 17th July, directed by Serge Baudo and accompanied by the new violin star Illya Gringolts, awarded first place in the Paganini Competition in 1998. The 2004 programme seeks to maintain the same balance as in previous years, based on the idea of offering the best performers of Chamber Museum. Along these lines, Italy will be represented by the aforementioned "Ensemble Le Archi della Scala" and by the "Concerto Italiano" directed by Rinaldo Allessandrini and France by "Les Vents Français" directed by Paul Meyer (clarinet). The Russian School will be represented by the pianist Boris Berezovsky, who was awarded the Gold Medal in the Tchaikovsky International Competition and who is a true continuation of the traditionally great pianists from his country. Special mention must be made of the concert by the guitarist John Williams, who is to present his "Impressions of Africa" for guitar and percussion. The other concerts of such a high level included in the programme are performed by the cellist Heinrich Schiff, the Wienerphilharmoniker Streichquartett, the St. Petersburg Chamber Soloists and, finally, for Singing enthusiasts, the soprano Dame Felicity Lott and the excellent "Prague Chamber Choir" with its director Romano Gandolfi. Each piece is perfectly in place like a continual tide, reaching its peak on Saturdays in July and Wednesdays and Saturdays in August, when our minds will become gradually impregnated with the unmistakable aroma of the Festival that earns the worthy applause of good music lovers year after year. It is something not to be missed.

April - Pollença – Good Friday. Jesus Christ is liberated from the cross on top of the Calvario and his image is transported down the 365 steps. It is a very famous procession of great beauty and takes place in complete silence. Worth seeing!

June 29 - Port of Pollença and Port of Alcudia – San Pedro (St. Peter). Patron saint of local fishermen. Dancing by the sea.

July - (Usually on first weekend). Cala Sant Vicenç – Nuestra Señora del Mar (Our Lady Of the Sea). Music, dancing and fireworks.

July - (Second-third weeks). Port of Pollença – Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of El Carmen). Patron saint. Music, dancing, exhibitions, boat parade around the bay, children’s entertainment, fireworks, etc.

July 25 - Sant Jaume (Saint James) – Alcudia. Patron saint of this town and of Spain as well. Lots of activities during the preceeding week, including the “Caixers” who go through the town wearing traditional costumes. Amazing fireworks at the end.

July/August - (Last week July-first week August). Pollença – Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angels). Patron saint. Music, concerts, exhibitions, etc.