The Consell de Mallorca has announced the launch of the new Mallorca Joven 2024 awards. The main objective of this initiative is to encourage written expression among students in the third and fourth years of ESO, as well as in the baccalaureate, in all schools in Mallorca. It also aims to foster creativity in the Catalan language and revitalise Mallorca’s literary traditions.

With a total prize money of 2,400 euros, the Mallorca Joven 2024 awards seek not only to stimulate the ingenuity of young writers, but also to promote the use and knowledge of the traditional Mallorcan lexicon. Especially in the context of the rondalles, the region’s popular fables. In this sense, the works submitted must include at least one of the proposed words. These include aperduar, braverol, vinclar, brufar, tumbaga, gínjol, chasqueado, regiró, esplugar, tudar, vega or lecho.

Mallorca Youth Awards 2024: four categories

This year’s Young Mallorca Awards will be divided into four categories: two for narrative and two for poetry. In narrative, the prizes will be Joana E., in commemoration of the novel by Maria-Antònia Oliver, and Bearn, in recognition of Llorenç Villalonga. As for poetry, the categories will be Pi de Formentor, in honour of the work of Costa and Llobera, and Balanguera, for being the island’s official anthem.

In each of these categories, prizes will be awarded to two participants: the winner will receive 350 euros and the runner-up 250 euros. The complete call for entries, as well as the competition rules, can be consulted in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands (BOIB). This provides interested students with the necessary information to participate in these awards.

With the Mallorca Youth Awards 2024, the Consell de Mallorca not only seeks to stimulate the literary talent of young people, but also to strengthen the link between the new generations and the cultural traditions that make Mallorca a unique place in the world. The vice-president of the Consell and councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca, says it is essential for Mallorcan students to familiarise themselves with their roots, their own language and the rich lexical repertoire of the rondalles, which will help to strengthen their cultural and linguistic identity.