Palma.The day after pledges were made by the authorities which fund the orchestra that its future is secure, as will be the funding providing the orchestra adopts a different and more economical management model, the 70-strong Balearic Philharmonic Orchestra brought the centre of the capital to a stand still with a free concert in the Borne at midday.
The protest against the way in which the orchestra is being treated by the government, Palma city council and the Council of Majorca, the three bodies which fund the orchestra, began at the Misericordia and made it's way down the Ramblas to the Borne where the orchestra awaited the thousands of people who had joined the demonstration which also featured local marching bands and musicians from across the island.
Everybody with the orchestra, everybody for culture was the main slogan for the march, as it has been for the campaign to save the orchestra which began early last year when its funding was slashed. Messages of support from orchestras across the country were read out while a host of leading local musicians and performers also read out statements.
Comedian Agustin El Casta', who presented the two-hour long concert, proclaimed it is the orchestra which should be allowed to play while we should not be allowed to play with the orchestra and called on the Balearics authorities to show some respect to the orchestra and the general public who want it to be kept alive.
The Civil Movement for the Symphony Orchestra warned that losing the orchestra would be a serious step backwards for the region's culture, tourism and economy.
But, despite the huge success of the protest, the orchestra is still facing a 20 percent pay cut and the loss of 13 jobs, while the Council of Majorca has pledged to raise the money as sooon as possible to secure its future.
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