NEWS & EVENTS
SOLLER VALLEY STORIES
by Soller Shirley Shirley Roberts
T
he ‘Hidden Valley’ is the local name for our area. Soller and the Port have lived for generations as the independent, entrepreneurial society behind the Coll mountain range. When the train arrived, 100 years ago, cutting its way through the mountain, it found a self supporting society with little interest on what was behind it. Instead the Soller Valley looked to the sea from the Port to deliver its goods to France and beyond. This is the reason that French is the third language of the area next to Mallorquin and Castellano. ‘Vive la difference’ would be the gutsy feeling of the time which continues to this day. There are a myriad of stories which emanate from this area I love. As a story teller I am interested in the past and the future of this great place in the universe. I look forward to sharing so many of them with you. Highly traditional yet embracing modernity is my definition of this place. The celebration of the Fiestas is a great example of this. Many visitors and residents rarely go to church but their lives are dominated by the church calendar. The traditional fiestas and celebrations have been in existence for generations. They are added to annually by 2020 type events and ancient and modern happily co-exist. Spring brings the cyclists to our world either
enjoying the ride or challenging themselves on our mountain routes. They take the same space here as all the walkers who are ready to tackle the mountains of Route 221. To walk, to cycle, to swim, to sit on the beach and build sandcastles is all possible in our world. Add to that the glorious sunsets and the celebrations as the sun slides into the sea every day and you might understand our world in all its glory. As March and April arrive the celebrations are many. The first comes in on March 20th which begins the Orange Fiesta of 2020. A weekend of Orange celebrations in Soller Square to begin the fun. After that cheap tickets on the Soller train bring in people for the next two weeks to taste the Orange menus in participating restaurants. Soller is known as the Valley of the Orange and has a connection to the Canoneta Orange. Such deliciousness has to be experienced so look out for them in our local shops and supermarkets. As March gives way to April we arrive into the Easter season. Soller is one of the places in Mallorca which have daily Penitents Parades. Services in the huge church of St Bartholomew every day from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday are accompanied by the parades of the Fraternities of Soller.
We live in a noisy world here but it is silence in the streets as the parades, in all their solemnity, pass by. The Soller Valley is open for business with fine hotels and restaurants occupying space and a choice of budgets. The thousands of people who return every year for their fix of the Solleric world are so very welcome. This is also the same for the Mallorca residents who love to visit us for our Market Day Saturdays and our monthly fiestas. All roads lead to Soller for many here and we are always happy to see them. The Soller Valley is on the map in 2020. The word is out and has been encouraged by many viewers of the TV and Films shot in the area. Thousands come to experience what they have seen on their screens. So much to see, so many stories to tell, so many gastronomic, sporting and cultural experiences to enjoy. Come and see us soon – you are very welcome.
Photo: GARY LLOYD REES
CELEBRITY MALLORCA | 17
