Mallorca prepares for Sant Antoni & Sant Sebastia Fiestas
Parades, dimonis & blessings take place ahead of this weeks festivals
This week is a busy week in the Mallorcan winter fiesta calendar with celebrations for Sant Antoni across the north of the island and for the patron Saint, Sant Sebastiá in Palma.
The first celebrations for Sant Antoni began yesterday at Cas Concos and Llucmajor where floats paraded through the towns and 'Beneïdes' - blessings - also took place.
Sant Antoni, who is celebrated on the 17th January was the protector of animals, especially those used for farming. Nowadays the tradition of having animals blessed has passed down not only to farm animals but to domesticated pets. In Llucmajor people brought a range of pets to be blessed, including parakeets, turtles, ferrets, canaries and dogs.
Two floats passed through the streets of Cas Concos near Felanitx to the sound of the Mallorcan percussion instrument, the Ximbomba, wiile the other float was decorated with Sant Antoni the celebrated saint. Also included in the parade were several animals that received the Sant Antoni Beneïde from town councillor Bartomeu Fons.
Other celebrations taking place during both Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastia include torrades, a sort of BBQ and bonfires on the streets where traditionally botifarró, sobrassada and xua are all cooked and served on toasted artisan bread. There will also be correfocs taking place in Palma next Monday evening
Towns in the north such as Pollenca also celebrate Sant Antoni by chopping down a pine tree in nearby Tarnelles and dragging it to Plaça Vella, where brave Pollencins will try to climb to the top to win a cash prize.
Find out more about Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastia.
