TW
0
Staff Reporter

PALMA
BALEARIC Islands Day, which commemorates the day the home rule Statute came into force in 1983, falls on March 1, which is a bank holiday.
The full programme of events, which starts on Monday, has not yet been announced, but it will include classical concerts, a medieval market and street parades.

One of the main events is the presentation of the Ramon Llull prizes and Regional Gold Medals, and will take place on February 28.
The Balearic Government has not yet published the names of those to be honoured in this way.
The difference this year is that only one Regional Gold Medal has been awarded, which gives it more importance for the person honoured.
These prizes are awarded in recognition of people or entities who have given outstanding service to the region.
The ceremony, which will take place at 7pm on February 28, will be held in the Auditorium in Palma and afterwards there will be a show from Els Comediants.

There will also be a procession, with popular themes from the towns of Majorca and, another of the novelties this year, the presence of two giants which will appear at more of the fiestas organised in the region. These two giants are called En Foner and Na Tanit, and will first be presented to the public on February 26 in the Consolat de la Mar, the headquarters of the Balearic government.

Palma council and the Council of Majorca have their own giants.
Balearic Day, March 1, is reserved for classical music. At 9pm that day there will be a concert by the Sistina Pontifical Choir, conducted by Giuseppe Liberto.

As in past years there will be popular events taking place in the streets, and the traditional medieval market.
This year's celebrations are marked by two events of great political significance.
First, the approval by the Senate on Wednesday of the reformed Balearic Statute.
Second, the proximity of the regional and local elections, which will be held in May.