How has the promotion of Mallorcan language and literature in schools evolved since Llorenç Vidal i Vidal’s time?

Since the time of Llorenç Vidal i Vidal, a prominent Mallorcan poet and educator born in the early 20th century, the promotion of Mallorcan language and literature in schools has experienced significant development. Vidal, known for his dedication to the Catalan language and cultural identity of Mallorca, laid important groundwork by emphasizing the importance of local literary expression in education. During his era, the use of Mallorcan Catalan in schools was limited due to political restrictions under Franco’s regime, which suppressed regional languages in favor of Castilian Spanish.

With the restoration of democracy in Spain and the subsequent recognition of Catalan as an official language in the Balearic Islands, there has been a tangible shift in educational policy. Mallorcan language and literature gained a renewed focus and were systematically integrated into school curricula, allowing younger generations to learn and appreciate their linguistic heritage in a structured way. Textbooks began to include works by Mallorcan authors, and literary studies expanded to cover local poetry, prose, and folklore, fostering cultural pride and linguistic fluency.

Over the past few decades, schools in Mallorca have increasingly promoted bilingual education programs that balance Catalan and Spanish while giving particular importance to the regional dialect spoken on the island. This bilingual approach supports not only language preservation but also intercultural understanding. Additionally, educational institutions often organize literary contests, cultural events, and collaborations with authors and poets, continuing Vidal’s legacy of celebrating Mallorcan literary arts within a contemporary context. Thus, the evolution in schools reflects broader social recognition and institutional support for the Mallorcan language, securing its vitality for future generations.