Farewell to Wolfram Seifert – A Bridge-Builder for the German-Speaking Community in Mallorca

Wolfram Seifert has died: A life devoted to the German-speaking island public

In Palma, at the Clínica Rotger, a long chapter came to an end during the night: Wolfram Seifert died at the age of 79 after a short, serious illness. The news sooner or later made its way through cafés and tapas bars – it was heard on Calle Sant Miquel, while passing on the Passeig and over an espresso near the harbour. For many here he was a familiar face.

Seifert lived on the island for decades and was more than just a publisher: he was a hub of the German-speaking community, someone people turned to for advice, for tips on dealing with authorities or simply to have a chat while out and about. His wife Petra often stood by his side; together they repeatedly appeared at receptions, exhibitions and farewell events for local personalities.

Professionally, Seifert's path began in the West German press before he accepted an offer in the early 1980s to take over the editorial office of a German-language weekly in Mallorca. What started as a manageable project he turned into a medium that became a reliable source of information for many residents and holidaymakers. From an initial print run of a few thousand copies, the readership grew significantly over the years; the scope and page count of the issues increased with the island's rising interest.

Under his leadership the paper became a handbook for newcomers, a guide through authorities and everyday questions, and a window onto local society. In a time before the internet, social networks and fast online news, the paper provided orientation: tips, connections, contacts – things that made life far from home easier.

Seifert loved Mallorca not only as a place of work. He knew restaurants in Palma, socialised with hosts and businesspeople, visited openings and private parties. On a mild November evening walking along the promenade, one could sometimes see him in a calm pose chatting with old companions. He was a mentor to many young editors: he sent colleagues to the north of the island, insisted that one get to know the diversity of the landscape, and always had a practical piece of advice at hand.

Colleagues later recalled small gestures that spoke louder than words: a handful of cash for an emergency, an encouraging sentence before a difficult investigation, the listening ear for worries and minor dramas of newsroom life. Such details paint the picture of an editor-in-chief who not only led the editorial team but also contributed on a human level.

He experienced technical upheavals: the editorial office moved in the early 2000s to a modern location on the outskirts of Palma, and the paper launched its own online presence around the turn of the millennium. For him, print and digital presence were not opposites but ways to reach people and accompany the ever-growing German-speaking community.

Seifert's life linked local anecdotes with international encounters. During his years of activity politicians and celebrities came to the island; meetings on a rooftop terrace above Cala Major or at social events were part of everyday life. Such moments made him a chronicler of the coexistence between locals and newcomers.

The past weeks have reminded the island community how much individuals shape structures: media, networks, support services. Seifert's influence is evident in the many readers who trusted information in their mother tongue for decades. His last greeting to the editorial team by SMS in early summer – a simple compliment to his colleagues – remained memorable and testifies to enduring solidarity.

What remains is the invitation to keep and write down memories: the stories from offices, tips for everyday life on the island, the small helps in emergencies. All of this is part of a collective island saga that now carries another chapter. For many here Seifert is an example of how local and foreign can grow together when someone builds the bridge.

Details about the farewell ceremony or burial will be announced later. Until then, the lanes through Palma's old town are a little quieter, the nighttime conversations in the bars somewhat more contemplative. Farewell, and thank you for making it easier for so many to feel at home for decades.