The organisation of Canamunt i Canavall cancels the 2026 edition due to lack of generational change, bureaucratic hurdles, and the push of tourism. Locals claim the City Council prioritises events for foreigners.
The Canamunt i Canavall festival, one of the most cherished self-managed events by the people of Palma, will not take place this year. The organisation, led by the entity Orgull Llonguet, has announced the definitive cancellation of the 2026 edition. The decision, according to sources from the entity, responds to a combination of factors that have been eroding the festive fabric of the city for years.
Mateu Fiol, spokesperson for Orgull Llonguet, explained that the lack of generational change, the tightening of municipal technical requirements, and the transformation of Palma into a destination for expatriates have made it unfeasible to continue. "The city is no longer for the locals; it is for tourists," lamented Fiol.
A city model in question
The cancellation of Canamunt i Canavall adds to that of Bar Flexas and the suspension of the official Sant Sebastià concerts in January. Without the push from neighbourhood associations, the people of Palma would only have three and a half festivals a year organised by the City Council. "The mayor prefers tourism," stated Fiol.
The spokesperson criticised that the City Council allocates more than €350,000 to La Patrona, a festival promoted by the municipal government, while putting hurdles in the way of popular celebrations. "Last year, when we set up Canamunt i Canavall, there was still dirt and the machines from La Patrona," he recalled.
Bureaucratic hurdles and double standards
According to Fiol, the relationship with the City Council has become unsustainable. "They are becoming increasingly picky with the technical report; they are putting more obstacles in our way," he denounced. As an example, he pointed out that the private company organising La Patrona is allowed to place promotional logos of alcoholic beverages, while they are prohibited from doing so. "We do not charge anything; this almost costs us money. We just want to keep a more vibrant city," he added.
The entity claims that, although they did not have facilities under the previous Pacte government, at least they did not face as many obstacles as they do now. "The situation has worsened," affirmed Fiol.
For the people of Palma, the loss of Canamunt i Canavall represents a decline in the local cultural offering. The festival, which took place in the historic centre, was a meeting point for families and young people seeking a free and participatory alternative. Without it, the city's festive calendar is reduced almost exclusively to institutional or paid events.
The organisation does not rule out resuming the celebration in the future if conditions change, but for now, there is no date for a return. "We need the City Council to understand that the city is not just a backdrop for tourists," concluded Fiol.
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