When Alcudia turned Japanese
Anyone who enjoys a drive around the restaurants along the front of the Port in Portals, please note this is no longer an option as all traffic now flows along the back by the cliff.
It is a curious piece of history. The first Japanese people to ever set foot on the island of Mallorca did so in Alcudia in February 1585.
There was very little knowledge of this until a research article was published in the Alcudia Journal of Local Studies and there was a theatrical representation as part of the summer Via Fora series in 2017.
A Jesuit missionary first arrived in Japan
in 1549. There was, therefore, some conversion to Catholicism. A later missionary, Alessandro Valignano of Naples, hit on the idea of bringing Japanese boys, who had been taught by the Jesuits, to Europe. They were to ultimately have an audience with the
Pope.
Mancio, Michael, Julian and Martin these were their European names formed part of the Tensho Embassy that came to Europe. They arrived in Lisbon in 1584 and in February 1585 they set sail from Alicante bound for Rome. There was a storm and their ship took refuge in Alcudia. These first Japanese therefore arrived by accident.
On Monday, there was a mass in honour of these four Japanese boys at Lluc Sanctuary. It was remembered that they were fully admitted to the Jesuit society in 1591 after they had returned to Japan. But their fates were not entirely blessed. Mancio died in 1612, Martin left Japan in 1614, Michael quit the Jesuit order and probably joined a Buddhist sect. Alarmed by the influence of Christianity, there was repression in Japan. Julian defied the 1614 order for all Christians to leave Japan. He was arrested, tortured and martyred.
“What is happening in Puerto Portals?” they all ask. I live above so you would think I would know. But I am forever surprised by a new construction appearing. I used to have an unhindered view of the little island off the beach. Especially bathed in moonlight it was magical. Then one day I looked out and observed a corner had disappeared, obstructed by a weird wavy roof on top a strange two-storey structure. Now the route to the walkway along the back of the Port has been cut off, so I’m guessing the weird-wavy construction will eventually form a route to one of my favourite Port walks.
In recent weeks, I have watched huge new pipes being positioned ready for the new road below me. Indeed, it was completed in record time. On Valentine’s morning, I was woken by tarmac being laid, and by the following day bold white lines had been painted and the road to the underground carpark fully functionally. Now the road along the front has been closed off to traffic. So be warned. Anyone who enjoys a drive around the restaurants along the front of the Port, please note this is no longer an option as all traffic now flows along the back by the cliff.
77th British Academy Film Awards
The British Academy Film Award night is always a big event in our family, and last Sunday did not disappoint. For over 20 years my son has been one of the 5,000 odd BAFTA members of industry peers, who spends months going to film screenings and hours of consideration before voting in his specific categories. Each member is also sent all hopeful films for nomination to watch at leisure, that has kept us extremely busy over Christmas and New Year.
However, I was privileged to go to a BAFTA private screening of Oppenheimer, followed by a fascinating, enlightening question and answer session with leads Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt. My son had already seen the film and found it so outstanding that he had organised to take me when I was in London. I was blown away by the power of the message and had immediately agreed that it was the film of the year. Cillian Murphy, 47, who had previously never registered on my radar, was extraordinary in exuding the gravitas of his mission. A fight against time to produce a nuclear bomb of terrifying mass destruction before anyone else. Thus I was not surprised that Oppenheimer indeed turned out to be the film of the year, scooping seven awards including: Best Film, Christopher Nolan as Best Director, Cillian Murphy Best Lead Actor and Robert Downey Jr as Best Supporting Actor. Emily Blunt may have lost out on the Best Supporting Actress, but won my award for the most spectacular dress. A sheer gold ornate beaded lace creation with wide cape sleeves and trailing train skirt. Classy yet sexy, worn with grace.
Indeed, the dazzling bejewelled outfits sauntering the red carpet are as celebrated as the films. Showbiz awards are about an abundance of glitz and glamour. Designers vie to have their creations showcased by the top stars and for lovers of fashion, the result is spectacular. The hugely popular film Barbie may have come away empty panel. This year the dresses were mostly elegantly tasteful, many artfully crafted to display glimpses of bare toned skin. Naked sides and backs notably very in this year.
BAFTA’s President since 2010, William the Prince of Wales looked the part in a beautifully cut velvet dinner jacket. This year sadly without his wife who is recovering from serious surgery. However, the organisers resourcefully found him another Kate to sit by his side, Australian actress Cate Blanchett. The Prince apparently loved Oppenheimer but admitted to not seeing Barbie yet.
A hugely moving moment was seeing Michael J. Fox wheeled onto stage and pull himself up to stand at the podium to announce the best film category. He received a respectful standing ovation,
plus a
few tears. Now 62, the popular Canadian star of Back to the Future has displayed great dignity despite the enormous challenges since diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 1991.
All in all, the British equivalent to the Oscars were suitably impressive. David Tennant did a splendid job at presenting, with humour appreciated by both sides of the Atlantic. I thought Hannah Waddingham, who at 49 has shone after her success in Ted
Lasso,
gave an emotional rendition of Time after Time as a screen celebrated a worryingly long list of industry greats who had passed during the year.
Indeed, few noticed the social media pranker who crashed the final and biggest award of the evening, the Oppenheimer Best Film speech. The man in black, slipped up to the stage to stand silently next to Murphy and producer
Charles
Roven as his wife Emma Thomas gave their acceptance speech. BAFTA wisely chose not to make a big deal. “We are taking this very seriously, and don’t want to grant him any publicity by commenting further” concluded BAFTA. Certainly, the event remained a British celebration of film to be proud.
Arts Society Mallorca
February’s Arts Society talk was something a little different, but hugely enjoyed by all. After the expected speaker was forced to cancel, award winning cartoonist Harry Venning valiantly stepped in last minute to give a fascinating insight into the world of cartoons. Indeed Harry’s energy and enthusiasm was more like a oneman show than a talk, as he explained the history and significance of cartoons. His slick humorous presentation saw him draw characters while explaining the tricks of the trade and relevance of each line.
We heard how he was introduced into the cartoon world and his success with his strip cartoons in the Guardian that won UK strip cartoonist of the year. Very informative. Who knew that Peanuts, considered the most successful cartoon ever, is worth 2 billion a year in syndication rights! Held at the charming, perfectly named Artmadam Hotel, the evening was its usual success with everyone enjoying a social vino and tapas reception. (For information: Mallorca@theartssociety.org)