Semana Santa – Easter 2010
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
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)
