Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Reclaims Its Place as a Hub of International Literature

More than six decades after establishing itself as one of the great meeting points of international literature, Formentor has reclaimed one of its most emblematic cultural traditions. From November 1 to 3, 2026, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor welcomed back the Formentor Prize for Literature and the Formentor Literary Conversations, returning to their historic home an event that has left a lasting mark on Europe's intellectual and cultural history.

Organised by the Formentor Foundation, the gathering brought together writers, publishers, academics and leading figures from the international cultural sphere over three days in a setting that has been closely associated with artistic creation since the early twentieth century. Its return marks a significant milestone for the resort which, following its reopening under the Four Seasons brand in 2024, continues to revive the spirit of the historic Hotel Formentor while strengthening its role as a place where hospitality, culture and intellectual exchange converge.

The 2026 edition honoured Portuguese writer Gonçalo M. Tavares, awarded the 2026 Formentor Prize for Literature, whose work was recognised by the jury for its narrative originality and its ability to explore the contradictions of the contemporary human condition. The award ceremony took place on November 1 and was accompanied by a guitar recital by Pedro Mateo, featuring works by composers including Frédéric Chopin, Manuel de Falla and Alberto Ginastera, all of whom maintained a connection to Mallorca at different points in their lives.

Three Days of Literature, Art and Ideas

Under the theme “Artists, Emulators and Copyists: Creating and Recreating the Atmospheres of the World,” the 2026 Formentor Literary Conversations explored artistic creation, the influence of great masters, and the many ways in which art and literature reinterpret their own traditions.

The program opened on November 1 with the Second European Publishers’ Colloquium, bringing together leading figures from the publishing industry to discuss the challenges of reading comprehension and the future of literary culture. Moderated by Sergio Vila-Sanjuán, director of La Vanguardia’s Cultura/s supplement, the gathering featured representatives from some of Europe’s most distinguished publishing houses, including Gallimard, Feltrinelli, Anagrama and Penguin Random House.

On November 2, the conversations continued with a session devoted to “The Formentor Canon”, featuring Carlo Feltrinelli, Gianluca Foglia, Silvia Sesé and Basilio Baltasar, director of the Formentor Foundation. The day also included a tribute to architect Antoni Gaudí and a discussion exploring the influence of literary works and the many ways in which they are reinterpreted across generations.

On November 3, the program turned to topics such as the reinvention of museums and the dialogue between artists, writers and their cultural references. The day culminated in a conversation dedicated to the literary universe of Gonçalo M. Tavares, featuring members of the prize jury, followed by a closing concert celebrating Spanish music.

Through this programme, Formentor once again became a forum for intellectual exchange, where literature engages in dialogue with other artistic disciplines, reviving the cosmopolitan spirit that has historically defined these gatherings.

The Return of a Unique Cultural Legacy

The history of the Formentor Prize for Literature is deeply intertwined with the place from which it takes its name. Established in 1961, the award emerged from the vision of a group of international publishers who found in the Hotel Formentor an exceptional setting for literary dialogue and the recognition of the most influential voices in contemporary fiction.

From its earliest editions, the prize has been associated with some of the most significant figures in world literature, including Jorge Luis Borges, Samuel Beckett, Saul Bellow and Jorge Semprún. Following its reinstatement in 2011, it has honoured authors such as Carlos Fuentes, Javier Marías, Enrique Vila-Matas, Annie Ernaux, László Krasznahorkai and Hélène Cixous, among many others.

Over the years, the Formentor Literary Conversations have travelled to different destinations while maintaining their international vocation. Their return to Formentor in 2026 therefore carries a particularly symbolic significance: not only does it bring this tradition back to the place where it was born, but it also renews the connection between the destination, literary creation and some of the most influential figures in contemporary culture.

As Estreya Gosalbez, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor, noted when announcing this year's edition: “For us, this is a dream come true since the hotel’s ownership and Four Seasons made the decision to invest in a place that holds such profound significance for Mallorca.”

Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor: A Commitment to Culture and the Preservation of Its Heritage

Since its opening in 1929, the historic Hotel Formentor has occupied a distinctive place in the cultural imagination of the Mediterranean. Conceived as a refuge where nature, art and intellectual life could coexist, the hotel gradually became a gathering place for writers, artists and thinkers from different generations.

Today, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor continues this legacy from a renewed perspective, combining contemporary hospitality with a deep respect for the identity and heritage of this remarkable destination. Its vision goes beyond the traditional resort experience, celebrating and preserving Mallorca’s rich natural, artistic and cultural heritage.

The celebration of the 2026 Formentor Prize for Literature is a particularly meaningful expression of this commitment. By bringing back one of the most emblematic events in its history, the resort reaffirms its dedication to preserving Formentor’s cultural legacy while projecting it into the future, offering a place where literature, art and ideas once again take centre stage.

In a privileged natural setting, surrounded by centuries-old pine forests, crystal-clear waters and the dramatic landscapes of the Serra de Tramuntana, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor brings together once more the elements that have defined its identity for nearly a century: nature, hospitality and culture.