Nov 9 at 7:18 PM
Where are the PR people when you need them in Soller
Published in the Majorca Daily Bulletin
Tuesday 11th November 2014
Photograph by RACHEL FOX
Soller is known as the ‘Island within an Island’ in Majorca . This came from its past history when trade was done from the Port of Soller with ships heading out for France and beyond laden with Soller goods and oranges. Soller didn’t look over its shoulder above the mountain towards Palma it just got on with its home grown life exporting to Europe from its own port… Life in 2014 is different but it is difficult to shake off the ‘self contained ‘mentality. The people of Soller have a ‘can do’ philosophy and they don’t wait for permission. Not for them the tiers of bureaucracy that delay their initiatives – it’s more a question of ’do’ and ask questions later. This of course gets them into all sorts of trouble but a shrug of the shoulders, a handshake or a kiss on the cheek usually resolves.
The story that broke this week of the award for the most Outrageous Festival in Europe being given to Soller was not a good one. Sollerics are very happy to make fun of themselves but whoa betide anyone else trying to do it. The hapless internet blogger from Australia had a great try at making himself some cheap publicity but it all backfired. A spurious award was announced of the location for the most outrageous festival in Europe and Soller‘s Moors and Christians Firo was declared the winner in our writers view. He clearly didn’t understand the significance of this fiesta to Sollerics or he wouldn’t have entered such a minefield. The local powers that be got very cross with our Australian visitor and backtracking was the order of the day. The international crisis was averted because both sides saw sense. The blogger hastily re- arranged his copy and Soller City council decided that all publicity is ‘good’ for the City. So peace and friendship was declared and all is well. That’s a relief…
The rebels with a ‘cause’ came out to play last Friday. They marched on the Council offices and asked to be heard. Much banner waving and shouting went on but the story goes like this. The site earmarked for the new supermarket for Soller is under the spotlight. It is not that the site is unsuitable or unavailable – in fact the site wins on both counts. The problem is that local traders don’t want the competition that a large supermarket will bring. The current ruling political party of Soller are having nothing to do with this thinking because in their eyes a new store would be very good for Soller. The fact that 80 % of the population do their main grocery shopping in cheaper places outside of Soller is the key factor. The Mayor and his team want all the shopping to be kept local and see that it is important to provide what they see that the people want. The protestors say that this is all too little too late in the six months before council elections. They want all progress to be stopped on this issue until after the elections in May 2015. They seem convinced that another party will be in control after the elections that will oppose the supermarket.
Damage limitation on these issues in the name of the game in Soller right now. Everyone involved in PR and publicity including us here at www.sollerweb.com is trying to do our bit. There is nothing attractive about protesting unhappy people – it does the image of the place no good at all. Democracy and the right to protest are very important and are supported by all. We just wish for a little less shouting and a little more listening to everyone’s point of view. All reasonable people know that there are at least two sides to every story which are valid. While the huffing and puffing goes on our eyes are turning very firmly towards Christmas.
In the UK the award winning adverts have begun for John Lewis and Marks and Spencer. The penguins and the fairies are already in our minds together with the music that make them haunting. In the Lluna in Soller the same is happening with the arrival of the biggest angel Gabriel you have every seen. I’m not sure what is going to happen next as this is a new shop on the shopping street that hasn’t done a Christmas yet. The display so far would not be out of place in Bond Street or any other fine shopping street in the UK . The new shop openings of the Lluna are racing against time so that their smart new shop fronts are open for business as the street races towards the busiest season of the year. The Port of Soller might have quietened a little as November takes hold but in the City of Soller its all go. The builders are building, the painters are painting and every week brings us something new to admire.
We have a little diversion over the next two weeks because Soller celebrates St Cecilia – the patron saint of music. Concerts on Saturday nights in the Convent Church are on the agenda to calm our souls whilst the angst rumbles on. Soller – ‘the island within an island’ is always comfortable with its music and will be soothed for the moment.
