Historians discuss end of British rule in Minorca

This week in Minorca, historians and investigators are debating and discussing the social and political changes in Spain at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th centuries to mark the bi-centenary of the Treaty of Amiens which marked the return to Spanish rule of Minorca. The international conference programme “1802: Spain over two centuries and the return of Minorca,” was opened on Monday night by academic Miguel Artola who gave a conference on the Spanish monarchy. The lectures are being held at the Borne Theatre in Ciutadella. This summer, Minorca has been commemorating the end of British rule and a host of events have taken place, including a performance by the band of the Coldstream Guards and the opening of an exhibition which was visited by the Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and his family while on holiday on the island last month. Nearly 100 historians from across Europe will be attending the Ciutadella conference this week.