Author
Andrew Ede
Andrew Ede

Background in business publishing. Started an online blog about Mallorca in 2005, which went daily in 2007, covering culture, environment, history, politics, tourism and more. Became a regular contributor to the Bulletin in 2010 before joining the staff a few years later.

Majorca

New Year what's on in Majorca: 26 December-1 January

The bells will be ringing out across the island at midnight on New Year's Eve, and there will be parties going on into the small hours (listed here is a selection). It is also the Festival of the Standard in Palma to mark the day - 31 December, 1229 - when King Jaume I entered the city and brought an end to Muslim dominance of the island. This is also celebrated elsewhere, notably Inca and Sineu earlier in the week. Family shows at the auditoriums in Palma and Manacor plus four days of family entertainment at Galatzo in Santa Ponsa (Tuesday to Friday).

Andrew Ede 25/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

Christmas what's on in Majorca: 19-25 December

Christmas week in Majorca, and this means that on Christmas Eve the churches of the island will be packed to hear the chant of the Sibil-la, the prophecy of the Last Judgement, which in 2010 was declared a Unesco Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (Times for these services are listed here.) Big Christmas markets in Inca and Manacor as well as Palma, and any number of Christmas concerts taking place around the island.

Andrew Ede 18/12/2016 00:00

Tourism

National government considering regulations for holiday rentals

At the same time as Madrid appears minded to adopt a more active role in regulation, Balearic tourism minister Biel Barceló is calling on the national government to amend the tenancy act.

Andrew Ede 18/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca 12-18 December

Christmas markets galore in Alcudia, Magalluf, Palma, Puerto Portals, Santa Ponsa and elsewhere. The Mersey Beatles are at Palma's auditorium. Christmas concerts, songs and carols across the island.

Andrew Ede 11/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

Lights, goats and flower-picking: the week in Majorca

The start of the Christmas period was officially marked when Palma's lights went on, goats were on the controversy menu, the airports authority was accused of hiding information, Podemos wished to contain tourists, and Calvia was promoting flower power.

Andrew Ede 11/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 5-11 December

The build-up to Christmas really gets going this week with Christmas markets in different parts of the island: Alcudia, Calvia, Santa Ponsa (two of them) and Palma being just a few. The remarkable Alternatilla Jazz season continues; the final concert is in Pollensa on Saturday. Sineu has its fair for Saint Thomas. Note that Tuesday (Constitution Day) and Thursday (Immaculate Conception) are both public holidays.

Andrew Ede 04/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

Fines, financing and bad management: the week in Majorca

The tourism ministry was relishing the opportunity to add significantly to government coffers through revenue from fines, the Canaries joined forces with the Balearics to pressurise Madrid into giving them better deals, unemployment was up and Palma town hall admitted it had a problem with its management.

Andrew Ede 04/12/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 28 November-4 December

Montuiri's partridge fair this weekend with its odd partridge decoy contest. The circus comes to town with the Circo Alegria starting its season in Palma on Friday and there being circus acts to accompany the switching-on of the Christmas lights on Friday. Lluc's Christmas fair is this weekend. Santa Ponsa's Christmas market starts on Monday. And there is a jazz season - Alternatilla - which features concerts across the island and some important names in contemporary jazz.

Andrew Ede 27/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

All year, Christmas lights and Ava Gardner: the week in Majorca

Next year's season is due to be even longer. We reported on a hotel that has been staying open all year since the early '70s. Palma's politics were keeping the Christmas lights off. There were awards and there was a story about Ava Gardner.

Andrew Ede 27/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

Jobs, rentals and death: the week in Majorca

The great tourism debate focused on employment, plans were afoot for rentals' websites to charge the tourist tax, promotion of golf seemed halfhearted, and another woman lost her life at the hands of her partner.

Andrew Ede 20/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 21-27 November

The mushroom season in Majorca is the excuse for Mancor de la Vall's Fira de l'Esclatasang, which starts on Friday with a non-fungal demons' fire-run. "Nouveau" in a Majorcan style is recognised in the wine town of Santa Maria. Rice is the theme of Sa Pobla's autumn fair, and the 26th Es Refugi Christmas charity market is at Palma's La Misericordia from Thursday.

Andrew Ede 19/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

Winter tourism, holiday rentals and snow: the week in Majorca

Winter tourism in the Balearics was being promoted in London, where there was talk but limited sign of holiday rentals. And winter arrived in a Majorca autumn: the first snow fell.

Andrew Ede 13/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 14-20 November

The fair of fairs, the most important of Majorca's fairs - Inca's Dijous Bo - is this Thursday. Much of it gets started on the Wednesday (Dimecres Bo), when there will be some late-night partying in local bars as well. Other fairs are in Llubi (devoted to honey) and in Caimari, Selva, where they say the olive oil is the best you can get; hence, it's the olives fair. Musically, a blast from 30 years ago as Queen Forever relives the Wembley concert of 1986 at Palma's auditorium this Friday.

Andrew Ede 13/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 7-13 November

Two big autumn fairs in the north of the island this coming weekend. Muro has its pumpkin fair and the highly anticipated pumpkin competition and Pollensa has its artisan fair, which is bigger still this year. There is also the autumn fair in Es Capdellà, Calvia. In Inca on Saturday there is a Night of Fire, with four demons gangs plus batucada drummers. One of the greats of flamenco singing, José Mercé, is at Palma Auditorium on Saturday.

Andrew Ede 06/11/2016 00:00

Majorca

People pressure, promotion and Pollensa ice-cream: the week in Majorca

The budget for tourism promotion was reduced, the level of human pressure was revealed, hotels were in congratulatory mood and an ice-cream kiosk closed.

Andrew Ede 06/11/2016 00:00

Politics

Balearic PSOE deputies defy party line as Rajoy becomes prime minister

The final vote was 170 yes - made up of the PP, Ciudadanos and Ana Oramas of the Coalicion Canaria - with 111 no and 68 abstentions.

Andrew Ede 30/10/2016 00:00

Majorca

Time, tourist tax and holiday prices: the week in Majorca

The Balearics didn't want to turn the clocks back, there were different estimates of tourist losses because of the tourist tax, the price of holidays was increasing, and there was good news about unemployment, though it was questionable how good that news really was.

Andrew Ede 30/10/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's on in Majorca: 31 October-6 November

The third of Inca's fairs takes place this weekend. Art in the streets as well as an art market which combines design and craft. Also gastronomy and a good deal of music and dance. Marratxi's autumn fair is on Sunday, and Puigpunyent has a craft beer show on the same day. At Palma Arena there is the annual weddings fair, Nupcial, from Friday to Sunday. The Evolution! Mallorca International Film Festival starts on Thursday. And it's Bonfire Night on Saturday.

Andrew Ede 30/10/2016 00:00

Majorca

What's in Majorca: 24-30 October

Inca's second fair this coming weekend, Porreres has its fair with a focus on local produce, Port Adriano has another street food festival, and in Paguera there's a weekend of artisan craft. In Can Picafort, demons will be on the prowl on Friday night as part of the Saladina Art Fest.It has been confirmed that the Oktoberfest in Palma can continue; the health and safety issues have been resolved. This Thursday, there will be a special artist appearing, and the event will now continue until 31 October, when there will be a Halloween special.

Andrew Ede 23/10/2016 00:00

Majorca

Corruption, attempted murder and holiday prices: the week in Majorca

Corruption allegations were firmly back on the agenda and Palma town hall was at the centre of them. A celebrated lawyer was pressing a charge of attempted murder. Hoteliers were saying no to UK tour operator requests for prices to come down.

Andrew Ede 23/10/2016 00:00