"Les vestes dels Cossiers d'Alaró" (The Jackets of the Cossiers of Alaró) (August 10)

On August 10th, the hall of Casal de Son Tugores was too small for the large number of attendees at the presentation of the book 'Les vestes dels Cossiers d'Alaró" (The Jackets of the Cossiers of Alaró). Study of their attire from a photograph taken one hundred and fifty years ago' by Joana Borràs Riera. The volume was published by Al Rum with the support of the City Council.

The great surprise came when the event was about to end. Rafel Pons, the collector from Santa Maria who owns the photo of the devil that initiated Joana Borràs's research, took the floor and gifted the photo to the author, who in turn decided that the best thing would be for it to go to the City Council.

"Un poble en Societat" (A Town in Society) (September 29)

On September 29, about a hundred people attended the presentation of 'Un poble en Societat" (A Town in Society), a meticulous investigation by Marçal Isern. The publication is an initiative of Al Rum and has the sponsorship of the Alaró City Council. Bartomeu Noguera, representing the association, explained that this was the fifteenth book we have published in seventeen years of existence.

The historian Manel Suàrez discussed the numerous contributions of Marçal Isern on issues such as Francoist symbolism. The author shared that the book of more than two hundred pages is the result of twenty years of work. “Alaró – he said – was very active in creating associations, especially those related to the working world.”

"Toponímia de sa Bastida i la seva contrada" (Toponymy of Sa Bastida and Its Surroundings) (November 24)

On November 24, the so-called computer room of Son Tugores filled with people who attended the presentation of 'Toponímia de sa Bastida i la seva contrada" (Toponymy of Sa Bastida and Its Surroundings'), by Francesc Lillo Colomar. 

In addition to the author, the event featured Llorenç Rosselló, mayor, representing the book as its editor; Pere Ferrer, from the Council of Mallorca, as a sponsor; and Andreu Mateu, representing Al Rum, as the coordinator of the edition. The book compiles more than two hundred toponyms from the Sa Bastida area and explains numerous curiosities about these names.

Pioneers of Education, Women Teachers in Alaró (March 4)

On March 4th, "Pioneres de l'educació, dones mestres a Alaró" (Pioneers of Education, Women Teachers in Alaró) was inaugurated. The exhibition, driven by the City Council with the support of Al Rum, gathered biographies, photographs, and information about education in our town provided by women before 1975, a task that was not given importance until the arrival of Democracy.

Exhibition Dedicated to Archduke Ludwig Salvator (April 22)

On Saturday, April 22, we were doubly present at the Book Fair organized by the City Council in Sebastià Jaume Square. On one hand, we set up an exhibition dedicated to Archduke Ludwig Salvator and his relationship with Alaró. Through texts and images from 'Die Balearen', one could learn about what our town was like in the second half of the 19th century.

Ina Sassi, the Gilda from Alaró (August 5)

On August 5th, the exhibition 'Ina Sassi, the Gilda from Alaró' was inaugurated in the presence of three hundred people. The exhibition, dedicated to the singer from Alaró, Catalina Sastre Simonet – Ina Sassi – (1929-2022), was conceived, assembled, and financed by Al Rum and remained open until mid-September.

Alaró's Railway, a Path to the Future (September 30)

On September 30, the exhibition dedicated to Alaró's train opened its doors. Several hundred people attended the inauguration of 'Alaró's Railway, a Path to the Future', which commemorates the half-century existence of the tramway that connected the Palma-Inca line station with the town.

Before the opening, the Director General of Mobility of the Government, Lorena del Valle; the mayor, Llorenç Perelló; a member of the Al Rum board, Pep Verd; and Fernando Sampol, on behalf of the Son Curt family, which donated the archive to the association, spoke. All praised the importance of preserving the memory of the train through documents and exhibits like the one inaugurated. The next day, it was visited by more than seven hundred people.

Guided tours have been organized for schoolchildren, Al Rum members, and the general public. By the time the exhibition closed, about 4,000 people had seen the display.

Donation of a Chalice to the Parish (February 4)

On February 4th, we deposited a chalice at the parish, originating from the donation made to our organization by the Sampol family of Son Curt. The rector, Bartomeu Barceló, and the president of Al Rum, Gabriel Campins, signed the transfer document.

Donation of an Alaró Shield (February)

In February, the historian Jaume Boada donated an Alaró shield to Al Rum. Boada, a historian specialized in numismatics, handed over this shield dated to the late 18th or early 19th century. It is a polychrome wood carving in which, at the center, one can see the wing and the castle in black, set against a red background, while the vase is golden. It measures 40 x 27 centimeters.

Donation of the Archive of the Oil and Soap Factory of Can Tofolet

The Bordoy family, from Can Tofolet, has donated the archive of the oil and soap factory they owned on Síquia Street. This documentation will allow researchers to study the economy and evolution of these types of productions.

Delivery of Images and Paintings from the Casal S'Olivaret

Antoni Real gave Al Rum two images of the Virgin Mary and several paintings from the S'Olivaret house. The images of the Virgin Mary were deposited at the rectory.

Delivery of Items and Documentation from Son Grau

Antònia ‘Mora’ donated items and documentation from Son Grau, including an interesting egg beater.

Guided Tours of the Castle (All Year Round)

Started in 2022, the guided tours by Biel Llodrà at the Castle, as part of the events of the IV Centenary, have continued throughout 2023 and will continue into the new year with the sponsorship of the Serra de Tramuntana Consortium.

School Visit to the Origins of Alaró (March 25)

On March 25, the Association of Families of Students (AFA) of Ceip Pere Rosselló Oliver, in collaboration with Al Rum, organized a guided tour led by Marga Coll to explore the origins of Alaró. More than sixty people attended.

First Discoveries at Sa Bastida (May 5)

On Friday, May 5, the lecture 'First Discoveries at Sa Bastida' was held at Casal Son Tugores. The archaeologist and member of Al Rum, Gabriel Llodrà i Pizà, informed more than sixty people about the remains found in the walls and the late Roman settlement of Sa Bastida.

From Stonecutters to Talayotics (May 9)

On May 9th, Dr. Marga Coll, a historian and member of Al Rum, delivered a lecture about the lives of Mallorcan women and girls 6,000 years ago. The title of the talk was 'From Stonecutters to Talayotics, the Role of Women and Children in Prehistory'. More than fifty people followed her explanations and the audiovisual presentation.

Visit of the GEM to Sa Bastida (May 13)

The Mallorca Hiking Group (Grup Excursionista de Mallorca, GEM) visited the late Roman site of Sa Bastida on Saturday, May 13.

English Tour of the Origins of Alaró (May 27)

On May 27th, we organized the first tour in English exploring the origins of Alaró. The tour was led by Dr. Marga Coll, a historian, archaeologist, and member of Al Rum. About sixty people attended. As an association, we are dedicated to promoting and preserving our heritage. We believe it is important to break down barriers and help new members of the community understand and become familiar with the history of our town, so they can appreciate and value even more the historical and cultural heritage of Alaró and make it their own. 

Drawing Contest for Saint Roch (August 7)

On August 7th, the children's drawing contest was held with great participation as part of the Saint Roch festivities, under the direction of Maria Rotger and Catalina Mas. In total, 176 drawings were submitted.

Participation in the Alaró Craft Fair (October 1)

October 1st. Participation in the Craft Fair. Featuring the sale of Al Rum's publications.

Second Guided Tour in English at Sa Bastida (October 7)

October 7th. The second edition of Al Rum's guided tours in English, aimed at bringing Alaró's roots closer to the foreign community residing in the town. Despite the sun and the challenges of the route, around twenty English speakers climbed up to the Sa Bastida fortification. There, they received explanations from the archaeologist and director of the excavation, Biel Llodrà.

School Visit to Learn About the Industrial Past of Alaró (October 14)

On Saturday, October 14th, the Association of Families of Students from CEIP Pere Rosselló and Oliver, in collaboration with Al Rum, organized a guided tour to learn about the industrialization of Alaró during the period beginning in the second half of the 19th century and continuing throughout the 20th century. Al Rum contributed a guide, in this case, Joan Riera, to explain these fascinating decades of the town's history.

English Tour to Discover Industrial Alaró (November 18)

November 18th. An English tour focusing on industrial Alaró, starting from the electricity towers to the train exhibition. Around thirty English speakers participated, receiving explanations from Pep Verd on topics such as mining, the shoe industry, soap manufacturing, electrification, and the railway.

Mycological Day of Alaró (November 18 and 19)

November 18th and 19th. An exhibition and conference to learn about the mushrooms found in the Alaró region. Joan Planas, from the Botanical Museum of Sóller, explained in detail the differences between fungi and mushrooms (the fruit), as well as their classification according to their culinary uses.

Christmas Market (December 8 and 9)

On December 8th and 9th, participation in the Christmas Market, featuring the sale of books published by the organization.

Guided Tours of the Alaró Railway Exhibition (November)

Numerous guided tours were conducted at the 'Alaró Railway, a Path to the Future' exhibition. All classes from CEIP Pere Rosselló and Oliver, three from the Nostra Senyora de la Consolació center, members and friends of Al Rum, the general Alaró public, and the Friends of the Mallorca Railway... enjoyed the guided tours led by Andreu Mateu or Joan Riera at the train exhibition.

Social Media and Digital Outreach

This year we continued our presence on the usual social media and web channels, maintaining the excellent results obtained in 2022.

Facebook has been our main communication channel, where constant posting has led to a significant increase, reaching 27,000 people, accumulating 517 likes and 632 followers, an increase of 50% and almost 25% respectively compared to the previous year.

Generosity towards Al Rum (August 2023)

The German-Alaró couple, Chris Wartha and Magda Campins, have made a significant financial donation to Al Rum. The most curious aspect is how this initiative came about. Some time ago, Chris celebrated his fiftieth birthday. He did not want personal gifts, but rather wanted his guests (Mallorcans and from various European countries) to have the opportunity to make a donation to an Alaró entity.