Chairs, posters and projectors: the history of Palma's cinemas, in an immersive exhibition

PalmThe Council of Mallorca has launched the cultural project Palma, city of cinemasAn initiative that explores the evolution and social and cultural role of the city's cinemas. The project, developed entirely by the Sound and Image Archive, combines an immersive exhibition with a publication that compiles the history and memories of Palma's cinemas.

The exhibition can be visited in the Chapel of Mercy and on the first floor of the Entrepatis building at the cultural center, from February 6 to April 11, 2026. The tour offers a journey through the history of the city's cinemas and incorporates emblematic pieces, such as five original posters, handbills, and material from poster artist Rafael Ruiz. A documentary will also be screened. The ephemeral dream, by Toni Bestard, which completes this immersion in Palma's cinematic memory.

The exhibition design is by Àngel Luque, while the overall coordination was handled by Francesc X. Bonnín, head of the Sound and Image Archive of Mallorca. The project is complemented by the publication of the book Palma, city of cinemasThis book offers a comprehensive view of Palma's cinemas, from large first-run theaters to small neighborhood venues. It includes a carefully curated selection of images, some previously unpublished, and explores aspects related to the operation and activity of these spaces. The content was compiled by Verònica and Tomeu Fiol Obrador, specialists in the history of cinema in Mallorca, and the publication was made possible through the collaboration of the Palma City Council. The official opening will be on Friday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m., and the exhibition will be open to the public Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The exhibition and the book thus offer a complete perspective on the relationship between cinema, city, and society in Palma, reclaiming an often-forgotten cultural heritage.