Mallorca Oral: the new tool to preserve and disseminate the oral heritage of the island

PalmThe Council of Mallorca, through the Mallorca Literary Foundation, presented this Monday Mallorcaoral.catA digital portal integrating the Oral Archive, the Songbook, and the Traditional Collection of Mallorca aims to preserve, disseminate, and promote the island's oral heritage. The initiative was born from the desire to demonstrate that popular culture is a living organism, constantly evolving, yet deeply rooted in collective memory.

According to the Vice President of the Council and Minister of Culture and Heritage, Antonia RocaThe project reaffirms the institution's commitment to a living culture that evolves without losing its roots: "Mallorca Oral allows us to understand tradition as a heritage that remains relevant today, and offers tools to learn about it and preserve it."

Three pillars of oral heritage

The portal is based on three fundamental elements: the Songbook, the Traditional Collection, and the Oral Archive of Mallorca, each of which compiles an element of the island's cultural heritage. The digital Songbook, created in 2013, collects and updates the Popular songbook of Mallorca by Rafael Ginard; the Tradicionario, launched in 2015, disseminates the folklore calendar and local traditions; and the Oral Archive, the portal's major new feature, compiles sound and audiovisual recordings of songs, fables, riddles, and life stories.

This last project is the result of several outreach campaigns, such as Treasure of memory, Sounds of the party and Memory, women and workThese archives document both traditional expressions and new creations that emerge during the island's festivals and cultural activities. They also include collaborative archives with other institutions, such as the program Air!, from IB3 radio.

A living heritage that must be cared for.

For experts, preserving oral heritage is key not only to conserving Mallorca's history, but also to maintaining its identity and collective memory. The fables, folk songs, and collected interviews are more than just documents: they are fragments of daily life, traditions, and experiences that define the island.

With the campaign Sounds of the 2026 partyThe project, which will begin in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar during the Sant Antoni festivities, will continue to collect songs, verses, and testimonies in collaboration with local schools, glosseros (improvisational poets), and residents who wish to participate. The materials will become part of the Oral History Archive, ensuring the continuity of Mallorca's living memory for future generations.

A tool for everyone

Mallorca Oral is not just a resource for researchers and academics; it is a space open to the public interested in discovering the richness of the island's oral culture. The content is accessible to anyone who wants to learn about, listen to, and appreciate the popular expressions that have shaped Mallorcan identity for generations.

According to Antònia Roca, "oral heritage must not only be preserved, lived, and transmitted; only in this way will it continue to be a fundamental element of our culture." The website www.mallorcaoral.cat It offers a window into this intangible heritage which, thanks to its digitization, remains alive and accessible to everyone.