The fair of Sant Antoni

San Antonio is celebrated on January the 17^th, a date in which the Majorcans have felt devotion since the very Christian conquest of the island, with the Aragoneese troops of King Jaime I.

This saint lived between the 3^rd and 4^th centuries, and as a young man he gave everything he had to the poor while he let go of the temptations of the devil. The “Revetlla de Sant Antoni” is one of the most magical nights in Mallorca, a festival that appeals to the magic of that night, rooting it in the ancient rites of fertility.
The “Revetlla de Sant Antoni” is one of the most magical nights in Mallorca, a festival that appeals to the magic of that night, rooting it in the ancient rites of fertility

He is also the protector of the peasants, cattles and animals. On that night many bonfires are lighted in different towns of Mallorca. However, we recommend you two of the,:

• Artà: Here the protocol relies upon the “Obreria de Sant Antoni”, and there are very traditional parties that begin on January 16^th in the morning.

• Sa Pobla: Where tradition dictates eating spinach with eels. The preparations begin with the starting point, in possession of “sa Llebre”, looking for firewood for the bonfires that will heat up the festival of Sant Antoni, the witching night of the demons and the “ximbombades”.

It is also interesting to visit Manacor, Muro, Sant Llorenç, Son Servera, Capdepera, Alcúdia and Pollença.

The course of the celebrations

“Sant Antoni” festival begins with a parade through the town, accompanied by demons, symbols of evil and human temptations. Later, in the afternoon, you can read fragments of the life of the Saint, singing “Lo Elogi”. And in the end, at night, around the fires gather singers who animate the evening with popular Mallorcan songs, rhymed, named the “glosses”, many of them with a clear erotic and eschatological content.

Everything is well seen in this magical night full of fire and demons!

Photo credits: mallorcaverbenatour.cat, timeout.es, abc-mallorca.es