Inspirational Posidonia Mallorca Festival grows for third yearMay 16, 2017

The third annual Posidonia Mallorca Festival will take place in Palma on 19 and 20 May and in Deia on 27 May.

An inspired blend of artistic expression, respect for nature and forum for promoting sustainable tourism, the Posidonia Mallorca Festival is definitely riding high on a wave of support from the island.

What is posidonia?

Posidonia is the seagrass – also known as Neptune’s Grass – that forms underwater prairies and meadows along the rocky coast on which Cala Deia sits. It’s an important part of the Mediterranean eco-system and provides a nursery for fish. If a posidonia prairie is destroyed, it takes 600 years for it grow again.

Today, with the Mediterranean posidonia prairies increasingly under threat, the Posidonia Festival movement, which started in Formentera in 2008, exists to raise awareness of the problem. And creative expression plays a key part.

Palma, 19 and 20 May

This is the first time the Festival will take place in Palma. On 19 May, there will be a forum on the subject of ‘Tourism, Sustainability and Prosperity’ at the Club Diario de Mallorca. ‘Posidonia’, an immersive ‘hypersculpture’ installation by Mallorca artist Patricia Mato Mora will be on show at the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró. Tactile memories of the Mediterranean environment are a profound influence on Patricia’s work, she says, ‘such as the sea salt on my skin, the sand under my feet, and large expanses of dry red earth’.

The historic La Balear ship will be at the Moll Vell Marina from 9:30 to 14:00 and you’ll also be able to view an installation made completely from recycled materials by the IES Joan Alcover community college.

On Saturday 20 May, the Aula del Mar in Portixol will open its doors for an exhibition and comics workshop. You’ll also be able to take part in a family yoga session. The ‘Posidonia working for you’ exhibition at the Moll Vell Marina will demonstrate the importance of posidonia for Mediterranean ecosystems and water quality. There will be also be a performance by Escola Global, displays by Festival partners and informative workshops.

Deia, 27 May

For Matteo Trivelli, one of the organisers of the Posidonia Mallorca Festival, ‘Deia is perfect for us for many reasons. It embodies the natural and cultural heritage of Mallorca and is an excellent illustration of the challenges the island faces with regard to tourism. We’re on the same wavelength as most of the local and international inhabitants. The Ajuntament supports us and we’re doing good work together.’

Saturday 27 in Deia begins with morning yoga down at the Cala. After this, the action will be centred on the Deia Amphitheater. There will be exhibitions, workshops, stories, delicious food and music and dancing all day. In the afternoon, there will be DJs and music from The Surfin ‘Llimones. Guided tours of Deia will start from Café Sa Fonda and a poetry contest will be held there in the afternoon.

Short films by Mallorca non-profit Ondine and the international organisation Oceana will be shown at Deia town hall. The second half of the ‘Tourism, Sustainability and Prosperity’, debate will take place here also.

Posidonia Mallorca is supported by a number of public and private organisations and sponsored by the Deia Ajuntament and the Balearic Islands Tourism Agency.

Help turn the tide

According to Matteo, ‘experts are looking for answers to the question of preserving Cala Deia. In Mallorca generally, awareness of the importance of preserving the ocean is on the rise. Change is happening.’

If you love Mallorca, coming along to the Posidonia Mallorca Festival is a great way to show your support for this important initiative, join the movement to help preserve posidonia and have a mellow day out.

All events are free.

The full Festival programme is here.