Easter festivities for 2010 are scheduled between 1st of April and 5th of April

One of the largest holy festivals in Spain, Semana Santa or ‘Holy Week’ is also a big event on the island of Mallorca. Recalling the events of the Passion of Christ, the celebrations begin on Palm Sunday at churches across the island, with the traditional blessing of palms and olive branches. This is usually followed by colourful parades through the streets each night.

On Maundy Thursday, the solemn ‘La Sang’ procession takes place, during which a representation of the crucified Christ is carried through the streets to remind worshippers of the meaning of Christianity.

Schedule 2010:

Maundy Thursday (April 1): From approximately 19.00 hrs, a slow-moving parade (Processió de la Sang) of Palma’s 30 or so cofradies, or brotherhoods, wends its way around the city. It’s a magnificent and moving spectacle, with the men wearing penitential robes and conical hoods, and carrying weighty statues of the Virgin Mary on ornate platforms, to the accompaniment of sombre music.

Good Friday (April 2) (Divendres Sant): In many places there are Passion / spiritual ceremonies: On the steps of La Seu, Palma Cathedral, the Passion is enacted by a theatre group "Taula Rodona” at about 12.00 noon; at dusk there’s the atmospheric Descent from the Cross of Calvary ( Devallement) procession to the church in Pollença; about 19:30 hrs the procession of the Holy Burial in Palma (from Sant Francesc); at 23.00 hrs the procession "Sant Entierro” (Holy Burial) in Sineu.

Easter Sunday (April 4): 8 a.m. church service in Llucmajor, then the joyful Procession of the Meeting, representing the reunion of Jesus with his mother, the Virgin Mary. A procession of men lead the statue of Jesus from the church to the meeting (Encuentro) at the Town Hall Square with the statue of the Virgin carried by women from the parish church.

Easter Monday (April 5): The Mallorcans like to picnic (weather permitting) or head into the villages and small towns to enjoy lunch out in a restaurant – book your table in advance! Easter Tuesday: the day of most Romerías (pilgrimages) in Mallorca, known as "Pancaritats" (meaning literally "bread of mercy"). These events – a combination of procession and picnic – mark the Medieval tradition of Palma’s aldermen giving bread to the poorest families, and many people head for the island’s hermitages and sanctuaries.

Sunday after Easter (Angel Sunday): Day of festivities at Palma Bellver Castle (about 20,000 visitors, folklore performances, extensive children’s programme)

Berlin’s annual ITB tourism fair, held from 10-14 March 2010, is the largest of its kind in the world. About 11.000 exhibitors from 184 countries will present their products and services from the world of tourism at this trade fair. This high number of participation reflects the situation of the booming tourism industry. To the general public the exhibition is open on the 10th and 11th of March only.

More information about ITB tourism fair

Balearic Government President, Francesc Antich, goes to Germany on Wednesday, where he will stay until next Friday to promote the Balearic Islands at a crucial moment, as German tourism to the islands is expected to grow this year , with a minimum of one per cent and a maximum of three percent after the visitors from Germany had experienced a drop of 11 percent over the previous year, according to the director of the Field Office of Tourism (OTS) in Berlin, Manuel Butler.

A series of corruption cases has broken the center-left government of the Balearic Islands. Francesc Antich, the Socialist prime minister, closed the small regional party UM (Majorcan Union) out from the alliance, and dismissed three ministers. It is therefore now a minority government on the holiday islands. "We can not allow that corruption damages the image of the Balearic Islands," stated Antich. The UM is responsible for several fraud scandals. Five UM senior politicians were arrested  in connection with a scandal surrounding the State Institute for Tourism Development (Inestur).

Ecológica is the exhibition featuring the tools, the works and the ideas to preserve the environment and improve the quality of life.

Date: 25th until 28th of March from 11.00 – 21.00 hrs.

Venue: Airport Exhibition Centre (Terminal A), Palma Institutions and the general public have an unmissable date at Ecológica.

The greatest richness of the Balearic Islands is its territory and taking care of it and respecting it is an essential task, both in the present and in the future. An event devoted to the technology, methods, science and culture of the environment serves as a fundamental instrument of education.

Ecológica will return to the Palma Exhibition Site from 25th to 28th March 2010, another presentation of the event that is dedicated to the environment in all its facets and directed at both sector professionals and a general public that is showing itself to be ever more interested in the conservation of our natural surroundings.

The proposal of Fires i Congressos de Balears is that Ecológica should present itself as a key debating forum where companies, professionals and the general public can carry out not only business and commercial trade, but also exchange ideas, offer training events and generate a healthy respect for the environment.

Be our Valentine: Bewell Medical Spa is delighted to share with you the great moments of your life.

Let your special person know how important is in your life by sharing some special moments in the privacy of our Spa.

Bewell Spa Deluxe with a personalized treatment with massage (optional) for just you two, providing 100% Zen feeling.

Femenine Essence Treatment, soft relaxing bath with rose and orchid essence to stimulate the woman’s natural sensuality. The treat you dream become a reality at Bewell.

This offer is valid without limitation in the weeks before and after Valentine’s Day, February, 14

Price: Spa for two 120 euros (massage not incl.) – Feminine Treatment 120 euros

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