Culture and sports in autumn

Music lovers benefit the most from an attractive, varied concert programme. The following events take place from October to December: the Caimari Traditional Music Festival, the Palmanyola International Music Festival, the Bunyola Music Festival, the Mallorca Music Festival and the Port de Sóller Classical Music Festival. The latter takes place in the beautiful Chapel of Santa Catalina, which now houses the Museum of the Sea. The Balearic Symphony Orchestra season also starts in October and hosts internationally renowned conductors and soloists.

Several events are devoted to organ music. The International Organ Festival is the most important event and is held in the Cathedral. During four Sundays in October it presents internationally renowned organists. In the Cathedral you can admire the interior of this magnificent Gothic church and the great ceramic mural by the famous Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló. It is the last addition to the Cathedral, popularly known in Mallorca as “la Seu”.

Concert cycles take place in churches and parishes of the island. The Historical Organ Week takes place in October and the Balearic International Organ Symposium and Conferences are held from October to December.

Jazz lovers can enjoy the concerts of the Jazz Voyeur Festival. It runs from March to December in Palma and has an excellent line-up of artists. And for experimental art enthusiasts, the Festival Ping! in Sa Taronja (Andratx) presents the latest developments in music, dance, video, etc.

Other interesting events are the Dansamàniga International Dance Festival, running from August to December in Cala Millor; the Opera season which is held in the recently renovated Teatre Principal de Palma; and “A Winter in Mallorca” cycle offering a wide range of activities including exhibitions, concerts, tours and trips to different places on the island.

Autumn is a great season for outdoor activities, even for sailing. This sport has a great tradition on the island. Sailing enthusiasts come together in the Autumn Sailing Championship held at the Real Club Náutico de Palma in October.

You can also practise scuba diving, canoeing, mountaineering, horse riding, cycling (along the island’s cycling routes) and golf in some of the best facilities in Europe. Courses for all levels and tournaments are arranged in the island’s golf courses. Players can test themselves in a natural paradise.

As mentioned previously, wild mushrooms are a seasonal product and so are “bunyols”, the autumn sweet par excellence. You can eat them well into winter, but they are a traditional food of the Virgins’ Day (20 October). It is an ancient tradition. On this day suitors used to hire a band to court their loved ones. The girls thanked the musicians with “bunyols” and sweet wine. The festival is still celebrated and it is a great time to get out on the streets and have a great time while eating these two typical products. The most traditional places for the festival are Palma, Búger, Marratxí, Porreres and Alcúdia, where the municipal bands, local bands and young people serenade the women who look out from the windows and balconies. The most traditional “bunyols” are made with potato and/or sweet potato and fried. Nowadays they are also filled with cream, custard or fruit and baked. They are sold hot out of the pan in many towns of Mallorca. Sugar is sprinkled to taste. They are delicious any time of the day.