The importance of maintaining your cultural identity when living abroad

Traditions and culture abroad: A bridge to home

Living in another country can be a transformative experience. Every day becomes an opportunity to discover new flavours, sounds and customs. Yet amid this exciting adventure, there’s often a deep longing to stay connected to your cultural roots. These small rituals and traditions remind you of who you are and evoke a sense of home, even when you’re far away.

In today’s globalised world, preserving your traditions while living abroad is about more than just nostalgia: it’s a celebration of your identity. It’s a way to honour your origins and share your culture with others. In Mallorca, where people from all over the world live together, the international spirit and local culture come together to create a network of human and emotional connections that transcend borders.

Can Bordoy: A place to reconnect with your Mallorcan roots

Located in the heart of Palma, Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden is where cultures converge. It’s more than just a hotel; it’s a place where memories and emotions blend together to create unforgettable experiences. Under the direction of the Swedish Hall family, the hotel celebrates some of the most cherished Northern European traditions each year, establishing itself as a gathering place for the international community in Palma.

Thanksgiving and St Martin’s Dinner: A table that unites cultures

In November, when the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, Can Bordoy opens its doors to a very special occasion: St Martin’s Dinner, inspired by the Swedish ‘Mårtensgås’, which marks the end of the harvest season and the start of winter.

This year’s dinner will take place on 10 November at Botànic, where chefs Andrés Benítez and Jonas Petersson will present a menu combining Mediterranean plant-based cuisine with Nordic forest flavours.
The result is a feast reminiscent of Thanksgiving, bringing expats and locals together to share gratitude, stories and traditions.

St Martin’s Day and Thanksgiving in Mallorca are both more than just festive dinners; they provide an opportunity to nurture your identity while living abroad, connecting cultures through food and community.

Santa Lucía: Northern lights in Palma

As the festive spirit fills the island in December, Can Bordoy celebrates one of Sweden’s most luminous traditions. Santa Lucia. The magical atmosphere created by the Swedish School of Mallorca choir performing in the hotel gardens symbolises light and hope in the heart of winter.

This free public event takes place on 12 December at 5 pm. It has become a cherished event for Nordic residents and Palma locals alike.

Children dressed in white, the aroma of warm glögg, and the hotel’s elegant Christmas decorations — crowned by its iconic tree — create an unforgettable sense of warmth and homeliness.

Keeping your cultural roots alive: A gesture of connection

These celebrations transcend gastronomy and music; they’re an invitation to maintain your cultural identity wherever you are. At Can Bordoy, tradition and modernity coexist in harmony, offering expats the chance to reconnect with their heritage and share it with the world.

Living abroad while keeping your culture alive isn’t about clinging to the past — it’s about reinventing it through every encounter, every dish, and every song.

Can Bordoy is a beacon in Palma where cultures converge, nostalgia is transformed into beauty and traditions are honoured with grace and spirit.

Experience it for yourself!

Discover the magic of Swedish traditions in Mallorca and celebrate your culture far from home.
Book your table for St Martin’s Dinner or join the Santa Lucia Concert to experience a real sense of community at Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden.