Majorca Day speech called for unity

MARIA Antonia Munar, president of the Council of Majorca, called for “unity of all Majorcans, whether or not they were born on the island.” This was the keynote of her speech marking Majorca Day on Sunday.
In a departure from form, she delivered her speech in Spanish rather than Catalan, a decision which was slammed by the trade unions yesterday.
They accused her of using Spanish to address immigrants “now that she needs them for the economy” whereas in previous years “she has used Catalan, saying that they increase illiteracy and bring disease to Majorca.” Munar said that it was important for the island not to lose its “economic leadership, nor its identity.” One of the biggest challenges facing the Council of Majorca was “to be the owners of our destiny, to decide on all matters affecting us, and reclaiming a justice which is frequently denied to us.” Munar dedicated a large part of her speech to the immigrants who came to Majorca years ago and have made the island their home. “Being Majorcan is not a biographical question listed on identity cards. One is Majorcan by choice and, above all, by identification with Majorca.” She insisted that it was the immigrants who have been here for years who must play an important role “as the framework of welfare and quality of life which you helped construct with so much effort and sacrifice, is in danger.” The speech was made at La Misericordia, which was also the setting for the presentation of the Council's gold medals and other awards.
British poet Robert Graves was named an Adoptive Son of Majorca, and the honour was accepted by his son Tomás Graves.