Ex-businessman Thomas Wegner (Schaulandt), converted to gallery owner (Weisses Haus) and curator of exhibitions such as Mediale and Electronic Art has now organized Art Medial at the Lonja, the old fish market located on Palma's Paseo Maritimo. This exhibition, which can be visited until August 14th, is not only a selection of Mr Wegner's major art collection but also a first in the world of video art for the inhabitants of the Balearic islands (and probably for many tourists, too). Mr. Wegner defines the unique quality of this event with these words: "Modern, high-tech art and this marvelous Gothic building -- which I consider one of the most beautiful constructions of the 15th century --present a totally new challenge rich in contrasts."

As relations between China and Germany are coming to just about nought, the Balearic Regional Government has had a chance to strengthen ties with China. Jiang Zemin (photo), President of the Chinese Republic, fit in a two-day professional visit to the island on his international tour, briefly staying in Manacor and Valldemossa. He didn't pass up the opportunity to meet with Jaume Matas, recently named President of The Balearic Regional Government and with Joan Fageda, mayor of Palma. Is Peking getting ready for a tourist boom?

Virtually unknown abroad, the Fiestas de San Juan (June 22nd-24th), are the most important event of the year on the Island of Menorca. For a few days thousands of people from the mainland, Mallorca and Ibiza flock to this quiet Mediterranean island, eager to take part in this traditional horse festival of medieval origins in Ciutadella, ancient port and capital of Menorca.
After the traditional "Mass of Sant Joan" (photo), 150 arab horses are let loose to gallop through the narrow streets of the old quarter of the so-called "white city". "Pomada", a mixture of gin and lemon juice is drunk by the gallon. The bravest of the over 50.000 spectators plunge into the streets among the wild prancing of the horses. Comparable to the "Palio" in Tuscany's Siena, this feast has nothing to envy in as far as tradition and colour, and outdoes it by a long shot as far as temperament.

What could have possibly been on Ikea's, the Swedish furniture shop's, mind when they came up with the advertisement that has appeared in some local newspapers (see photo). It literally says: "After a night like this, after giving you all I have to give, it turns out your main concern is to find out where I bought my bed?" Are they after the "young inheritors" who come from all over to spend wild weekends in Mallorca? Or are they maybe counting on the envy "effect" and want to convince even the laziest that the time has come to buy a change of sheets? Or has the heat become unbearable in the last few weeks? Different countries, different habits... leave it to the moose.