On September 12th, the Consell de Mallorca celebrated "its" national day. Once again, the institutions have changed the official date on which they prescribe we should celebrate our Mallorcan identity. However, beyond the debate on the historical basis of the chosen anniversary or its observance by the population, in this article I would like to discuss the major problem that not having deep-rooted, agreed-upon symbols poses for us as a people. I mean, this is not "just" a problem for historians; it's also a political problem. I say "political" because it affects how we regulate our society, and I say "problem" because, on the one hand, without symbols, there is no space for all members of a political community to meet. There are no minimum emotional elements that keep us united. This makes any differences insurmountable. And, on the other hand, without symbols, it's impossible to articulate any movement that appeals to this people, since this is embodied in the will to be, which, in turn, is supported by the different elements that individuals consider to represent them as a collective.
Of course, I'm referring here to symbols in a broad sense: flags, anthems, values, historical accounts, fundamental laws, football teams, or, yes, a national day of celebration. All political communities have a date set aside to commemorate their existence. A day that people know, respect, and live in their own way, but which is acknowledged. With more or less controversy over the origin of the celebration than others. But the point is that it allows society to renew the idea that there are more people who feel part of it.
It's common to hear: "No one identifies with the Balearic Islands; each person belongs to their own island." And it's true. But until now, this hasn't been translated into bringing people together to celebrate that belonging. For now, in Mallorca, there isn't a single day that's even close to being a massive one. December 31st, although it's the one with the greatest popular mobilization, has been a very small festivity. Nor has it been in Menorca, Ibiza, or Formentera. Where, despite the great love its inhabitants profess for their "roqueta," attendance at their festivities also tends to border on the ridiculous.
And I'm not saying this to make anyone feel bad. I'm simply stating that we haven't yet been able to make people feel that any major celebration of being Mallorcan, Menorcan, Ibizan, or Formenteran is their own. The institutions, which are normally in charge of putting together a program of activities, concerts, and official events, have failed to make people feel that it's their own. It turns out that storytelling and dance performances aren't enough, look where you look. Perhaps, and just perhaps, one of the tools our governments haven't used as they should is education. In normal countries, children are taught the history of their nation's birth, and it's not just told, it's insisted upon. National Day is also celebrated in class, and the flag and anthem are taught. It's part of a necessary socialization process in today's nation-states, where much of political legitimacy is based on the idea that there is a people willing to be so. Furthermore, in contexts like ours, where there is national conflict, not using all the tools available here is de facto Contribute to assimilation into Spanishness. Perhaps a Spanishness clothed in love for our beautiful beaches and mountains, but Spanishness in practice.
Civil society is also to blame for all this. This commitment is currently only found in very minority associations or parties. The usual suspects. But at the risk of raising a few sniggers and sounding like an Errejón-style refrain: being marginal is not a triumph. The Day of the Islands should go beyond the independence movement, and that's not its fault, but rather the lack of commitment of the rest.
I don't want to minimize the importance of the historiographical debate; it's extremely important. But from a political point of view, the scientific basis for the chosen date isn't as important as whether people feel it is theirs and whether there is a certain social consensus around it. The same goes for flags or anthems: they are all invented and adopted for reasons unrelated to the 'truth' of the symbol itself. But we have a lot at stake: without a day to gather together, without a flag to raise, and without an anthem of brotherhood, nothing worthwhile can be achieved collectively.
