The Council recognizes Rels B, Concha Buika and Michael Douglas with its highest distinctions
The island institution distinguished 27 people and entities during the gala held at the Principal theater of Palma on the occasion of the Mallorca Day
PalmaThe Council of Mallorca recognized 27 people and entities on Saturday with the 2026 Awards, Honors and Distinctions at a gala held at the Principal Theatre of Palma on the occasion of the Mallorca Day. Among the most prominent distinctions, Rels B was named Favorite Son; Concha Buika, Favorite Daughter, and Michael Douglas, Adoptive Son of Mallorca.
Rels B, the stage name of Daniel Heredia, received the recognition for his musical career and for having projected the name of Mallorca internationally. In the case of Buika, the Council highlighted her artistic career and contribution to music. Michael Douglas, for his part, was distinguished for his bond with Mallorca and with the Serra de Tramuntana, where he has maintained a relationship for nearly four decades.
The Council also highlighted the Regenera Deià project, promoted by the actor, which works on the restoration of ecosystems, the recovery of traditional land uses, and the social and cultural revitalization of the municipality.
The Medals of Honor and Gratitude of Mallorca recognized, among others, Antònia Rosselló, Can Company, the La Sapiència Foundation, Antoni Vidal Ferrando, Toni Ballador, Hipercentro, the Roig Business Group, Cucorba, Miguel José Deyà Bauzà, Montserrat Pons i Boscana, the Balearic Federation of Sling Shooting, and Tomeu Penya. Posthumous distinctions were also awarded to Tomàs Martínez, Pere Sampol, and Antònia Matamalas.
The Jaume II awards went to Encesa pels Drets Humans, Isabel Calero, the bar Bosch, the Mallorca Dry Stone Wallers Guild, Etnogràfic de Campos, ASNIMO, the Mare Alberta school, the Palma 47 Infantry Regiment, and Joan Mas i Vives.
The gala, presented by Bel Bestard, also gave special prominence to La Balanguera, for which this year the centenary of the premiere of its musical version was commemorated. Donallop and the DaBraccio Quartet performed during the event, which closed with the performance of the anthem of Mallorca by the Choir of the Principal Theater of Palma and the Joch de Ministrils of the Council of Mallorca.
During his speech speaking about Michael Douglas, the president of the Council, Llorenç Galmés, declared the need to "preserve the identity and the way of life of the Mallorcans". Galmés vindicated the landscape, history, culture, language, and gastronomy of the island, and assured that Mallorca "is what it is thanks to its people".
The island president also spoke about the need to protect the island in the face of current challenges and reiterated the Council's commitment to lower the ceiling of tourist beds during this legislative term.
MÉS criticizes Galmés's speech
MÉS per Mallorca has criticized Llorenç Galmés' speech during the event and accused him of making partisan use of an institutional ceremony. The party's spokesperson at the Council, Catalina Inés Perelló, considered that the president took advantage of his speech to reproach the opposition in an event that, according to MÉS, should have been focused on the awarded individuals and entities.
Perelló stated that Galmés "confuses his role as president of the Council with that of a PP leader" and demanded that he recover his institutional role. MÉS also announced that it will send a letter of protest to the president to ask him to respect the political and social plurality of Mallorca.