On Friday, members of the SOS Residents association staged a protest in Palma's Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina against the Christmas market in Sa Feixina Park. Pepa Aguiló, one of those present, said they had gathered "to denounce the commodification of public space and the loss of cultural identity".
They expressed dismay at how Mallorca "is increasingly being invaded by foreign cultures". The stalls in the market do not promote Mallorcan culture; they showcase "Anglo-Saxon traditions". "Everything is in their language; at most, a few things are in Spanish."
The group dressed in black in a symbolic act - like a funeral march. "We feel pain at the loss of our traditions." The island is suffering "total annihilation".
They were objecting to the use of public space "to set up a private business". "A private company has come to enrich itself at our expense, at the expense of our space and our neighbourhoods."
They argued that there are more deeply rooted alternatives, such as the Christmas market in Plaça Major, where items for sale are related to traditions they consider to be "their own".
Ana María Estraña said: "To us, this represents the colonisation of Mallorca". She was critical of institutional inaction and concluded that "our leaders are doing nothing to stop this colonisation".
At the end of October, it was reported that German businessman, Gerald Kendlbacher, and the Afedeco and Pimeco associations for small retailers were behind the organisation of the market.