- It premieres on Friday 29th at Puig de sa Morisca Archaeological Park Museum (Santa Ponça)
- The documentary includes never-before-seen images from the recently digitised municipal archive
The Fiestas del rei En Jaume (King En Jaume Festivities), which commemorate the arrival of King Jaume I to Santa Ponça in 1229, celebrate their 796th anniversary in 2025. These are the most representative festivities in the municipality of Calvià, with more than five decades of recent history and strong popular, cultural and participatory roots. Now, thanks to the recovery of recordings - in many cases unpublished -, their origin has been documented. The images have been catalogued and digitised by Bibliotecas de Calvià (Calvià Libraries). The numerous hours of recovered footage and interviews have made possible the creation of the documentary La Història de les Festes (The History of the Festivities), which will premiere on Friday, 29th August at 7:00 p.m. at an event open to the public at the Puig de sa Morisca Archaeological Park Museum (Santa Ponça). It marks 30 years since the beginning of the festivities.
The documentary, produced by Calvià Town Hall, was directed by Luis Alberto Pérez de Mendiola. It was photographed by Jaime Anca, edited by Franc Subías, and scripted by Joan Bover.
The digitisation of Bibliotecas de Calvià (Calvià Libraries) archive has revealed previously unseen images that were thought to be lost. With these images, it has been possible to reconstruct, for the first time in audiovisual format, the origins of the festivals. Furthermore, also from Bibliotecas, a parallel exhibition has been organised to complement the premiere. Festival brochures and festivities announcement booklets from previous years will be on display.
La història de les Festes:
It was in 1971, under the mandate of Mayor Joan Terrassa Noguera, when the celebration of these festivities were first proposed at a municipal plenary session, with activities such as a simulated landing, regional dances, and cultural competitions. Since its origin, the objectives were clear: to strengthen the collective identity of the municipality, integrate its different areas, and disseminate the historical value of the event that marked the beginning of a new era in the history of Mallorca.
Over the decades, the different governing teams and the associative network have contributed new ideas, expanding the scope of the festivities. In 1979, then-mayor Francesc Font promoted a more popular and cultural focus, opening the programme to all areas of the municipality and to childhood.
In 1983, with Francesc Obrador as mayor, a further step was taken toward a "village" festival, which reinforced the sense of belonging, coexistence, and civic commitment.
The turning point came in 1994 with the reenactment of the landing, thanks to the involvement of the Badia de Santa Ponça Neighbourhood's Association. Since then, the popular Moors and Christians parade has shaped a vibrant festival, which remembers the past with historical rigor and celebrates it with collective joy. Since 1995, Calvià Town Hall and the Neighbourhood's Association began collaborating on the organisation of festivals that have steadily grown to become the municipality's festive landmark.
In 2014, in the 785th anniversary, the 20th anniversary of the modern festival was celebrated, with the recovery of historical and symbolic values. Elements such as new banners and a new costume for King En Jaume were incorporated.
In 2025, Calvià is preparing to once again celebrate its great festival, with the same spirit of integration, culture, and coexistence that has characterised it since its beginnings. The rei En Jaume Festival is now a living tradition that is part of the municipality's identity heritage.
