Palma de Mallorca, 2 September 2000
H.M. the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, with Queen Sofia, and the Grand Chancellor, Amb. Count Carlo Marullo di Condojanni, with his consort Donna Elisabetta, inaugurated on 31 August the exhibition devoted to the "Order of Malta and Mallorca. Five Centuries of Mediterranean History". The exhibition was organised by the Spanish Assembly at "Sa Llonya", ancient seat of the Knights in Palma de Mallorca, and present at the inauguration were the Minister of Culture of Malta, Louis Galea, the President of the Spanish Assembly, Luis Guillermo de Perinat y Elio, representatives of the Order's European territorial bodies, the government authorities of the Balearic Islands, who have participated in the initiative, members of the Diplomatic Corps and personalities from the religious and cultural worlds.

In his address to the King of Spain and to the over 500 guests, the Grand Chancellor highlighted the profound historical bonds which have firmly united since 1200 and for centuries the Kingdom of Mallorca and the Sovereign Order in defence of Christianity in the Mediterranean and in helping the needy and suffering. A clear testimony to this is the rich and precious documentation present in the exhibition, collected from all over Europe thanks also to the commitment of many of the Order's national bodies. The presence today of the Knights and Dames of the Balearic Delegation of the Spanish Assembly are a proof of this continuity.

The exhibition, which also includes portraits by Goya and paintings by Ribera, and for which a voluminous catalogue has been printed, will remain open for two months.

The inaugural day of the exhibition ended with a concert by Carreras, attended by the Grand Chancellor, Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain and their son Filippo di Borbone.