Heritage of Mankind bid for Sibil.la

THE Council of Majorca will ask UNESCO to declare the Sibil.la (the prophecies of the Last Judgement sung in Majorcan churches on Christmas Eve) to be declared part of the heritage of mankind. Conditions which have to be fulfilled include it being a tradition dating back centuries, guarantees of continuity and a high rate of participation.
The Sibil.la has been performed in Majorca since the 13th century, surviving despite a ban by the Council of Trent. Similar traditions in Spain, such as the Mystery of Elche and the Patum of Berga in Catalonia have been declared Heritage of Mankind. The Council of Majorca has set up an advisory board of eight experts in island traditions, who will seek backing for the request and will also conduct research into island traditions.