A group protests the felling of the bellasombra trees in the Palma Parade

PalmThousands of people took to the streets of Palma this Sunday to enjoy the Carnival Parade, one of the most anticipated events on the Balearic capital's festive calendar. Costumes of all kinds, music, spectacular floats, and protest groups filled the city center with a festive atmosphere. Social commentary was a key element among the groups. 'Los bellasombras' (The Beautiful Shadows) was one of the most outspoken, with a large banner bearing the slogan 'Llorenç Villalonga Square. Before-After' and images showing the area's transformation after the tree felling. Composed of participants dressed as trees and tree cutters, and accompanied by a batucada band, the group displayed messages critical of the city's environmental policies and paused in front of the judges as a form of protest. This year's parade featured 11 floats and 36 groups, figures that surpass last year's and further solidify the festival's vitality. The parade proceeded along the Rambla, the streets of Riera and Unió, Plaça de Joan Carles I, and Avinguda de Jaume III, ending at Passeig de Mallorca. The jury was positioned on the stage in Plaça del Mercat, while in Plaça de Joan Carles I the prizes were awarded and the musical group Flamingos performed, bringing the celebration to a close.

The awards

In the float category, the awards went to 'Gintonics Fitness Club - Suando el Carnaval' (elaborate), 'De la cueva al chip' (protest), 'El lado oscuro de s'Olivera' (original), and 'Vikarnaval' (lively). As for the comparsas (carnival groups), the winners were 'Tri-buhos' (elaborate), 'La granja de Pepito Balboa' (protest), 'De la cueva al chip' (original), and 'Salson Ferrer' (lively). With massive participation and a combination of celebration, creativity, and social commentary, Palma has once again demonstrated that the Rua is much more than a parade: it is a collective celebration that transforms the city center into a vast open-air stage. Also noteworthy for its scale and staging was 'Salson Ferrer', with Cuban references and an explosion of green, white, and orange colors, as well as the recreation of a classic convertible embedded in the facade of a Caribbean house.