On May 18th, to mark International Museum Day, MUCBO hosted a very special talk focusing on Mallorca’s traditional cuisine through the lens of Mallorcan Folk Tales (Rondalles). Over 30 people attended the event, which combined a passion for oral heritage with an interest in the island’s traditional gastronomy.
The lecture, funded by the Consell de Mallorca, was given by Dr. Caterina Valriu, professor at the University of the Balearic Islands and one of the leading experts in popular culture. Inspired by the book La cuina de les rondalles mallorquines, which she co-authored, Dr. Valriu offered a fascinating journey through the ways in which folk tales reflect the Mallorcan relationship with food.
Attendees discovered how popular stories contrast the feasts of kings with the humble meals of the poor, highlight seasonal staples such as wheat, bread, oil, and olives, and preserve home-cooked recipes passed down through generations. A particularly entertaining aspect was the look at the foods of magical creatures, with a special mention of the giants’ insatiable hunger in the folk tales.
The talk not only gave us a new perspective on Mallorcan gastronomy, but also reasserted the value of rondalles as a powerful testimony to our cultural roots and identity. A true journey into the heart of island folklore, through the flavors and stories that shape our collective memory.
