A changing Majorca

By Jason Moore HAS Majorca lost its Majorcaness? Is is just becoming an international island which has changed radically over the years and has lost that essence of what it once was. Recently, a showed a person, who had visited Majorca for at least five years around Palma. He was both amazed and shocked at the changes. Bars which once offered rather non-Majorcan tapas have been replaced by banks and Italian style cafeterias; shops which had been a focal point of the city for years have gone to be replaced by bargain boutiques and discount shops; traditional bakeries replaced by fast food stores outlets. If you live here perhaps you don't notice the change; it probably has been a change for the better but I am not too sure. These days walking around Palma you could be anywhere. These days at least 20 percent of the population is non-Spanish and you could probably say that up to 45 percent are non-Majorcan. The change and the need to protect Majorca's Majorcaness was one of the key points of Council of Majorca President Maria Antonia Munar's speech on Majorca Day on Tuesday night. She said that her department were attempting to restore some of Majorca's shrinking heritage. I think she is right; Majorca is a fantastic place but it shouldn't become just a satellite of northern Europe. It has a long history, a rich culture which needs to be protected and respected by all. Change can be good but too much could be awful.