The green shoots of recovery in Soller
Published in the Majorca Daily Bulletin
On Tuesday 18th October 2016
Photographs by Rachel Fox
The landscape has been parched and the grass had turned to straw. The streets were dirty because power washing was banned. The water shortages of late summer turned off the water in municipal areas and we had to wait for the rain. Then this past week the rain came in torrents and the earth beneath our feet turned green. Grass is like a miracle when it responds to the rain in the way that it did. Now, all around the Soller Valley there is new grass carpeting the fields preparing the way for the spring flowers that arrive earlier and earlier each year. The sunshine of the past weekend has been an extra bonus and the summer came back for one last surge before leaving us wet again later this week.
The music of the Soller Valley was our pleasure this weekend and music takes us right through into early November. The Coros de Chicos French young peoples choir came to Sant Bartholomew Church for a magnificent concert last Saturday. The Soller Town Band joined the choir at the end of their performance and between them raised the roof of that great building. Over 500 people turned out to support this event which was a highlight of our musical year.
Thursday 20th October is the day of the Virgins and traditionally it is when suitors woo their ladies with music and are rewarded with sweet wine and bunuelos. These small doughnuts with a hole in the middle are sprinkled with sugar after being fried in the open air in the street. The big vats of boiling oil are a common sight on the streets of Soller and it has to be said that we all love bunuelos. Traditionally the town centres set up an open microphone in the heart of the place so that singers can sing their love songs. Soller let this tradition fade away but not so this year because it is back! On Saturday 22nd October from 5 pm to 7 pm the opportunity will be there for singers and bunuelo sellers alike to do their thing. Do come and join this romantic occasion and be part of a very Majorcan tradition – you are very welcome.
All things Folk come to Soller on Saturday 22ndOctober at 7 pm. This is in the tradition of a Ceilidh and brings together musicians from the UK and the Soller Valley. The night is planned for listening, dancing, participating, food and everyone is invited. The Folk music represented by the Aire Solleriques, Xeremiers of Soller, Mick West, Frank McLauglin and the Hillside Ceilidh Band will all be in evidence. These people really know how to make a community party go with a swing so please come and join us. The venue is The Victoria Community Centre which is off a side street from the Lluna main shopping street.
If the Ceilidh helps you find your dancing feet, please don’t put them away. Another date for your diary is Sunday 6th November when Soller will be the venue for a Swing Fiesta accompanied by the Big Band Sound. Swing music and the dance moves have taken Majorca by storm over the past couple of years and Sollerics are in the heart of it. The main lessons are given in a Palma venue but the music and dance lovers travel the island putting on dance demonstrations and encouraging everyone to join in. The Swing Fiesta came to Soller for the first time last year and people have been begging for its return. This occasion also has the Soller train giving reduced prices to get people from Palma to Soller and the fun starts in the morning and runs most of the day.
Sollerics love to work and play hard and the music is the key to so much. This article is full of acknowledgment to our Town Band and all the other local music and dance contributors. We are indeed a fortunate community to have access to this uplifting world. To dance, enjoy the music and each other’s company and smile is a huge part of what living here is all about.
The hardworking winter is round the corner with many refurbishments and the possibility of a new Soller access tunnel being built. The world doesn’t stop here in the off season it just changes gear. That being said it also allows some great R & R time and the music will keep us moving all winter long.
