Sant Joan: The shortest and most intense night of the year

With the arrival of the heat, the summer festival calendar gets going all over the Balearics. The first fiesta is that of Saint John the Baptist, around June 24.

The most well-known and spectacular "Festes de Sant Joan" are the ones in Ciutadella on the island of Menorca, although it is also celebrated intensely on Mallorca, Eivissa and Formentera, particularly the "Nit de Sant Joan", on June 23, the shortest night of the year.

On Mallorca, it is celebrated in Calvià, Deià, Mancor de la Vall, Muro, Sant Joan, Palma, Son Servera...

In Deià, the San Juan fiestas, patron saint of the town, will be held as every year with activities for all the family. There will the dance on Thursday 21, with Aires Sollerics and Marjal en Festa; on Friday 22, with Oasis, Malpaso, Amb una mica de sort, Horriskamoi and Pa amb oli Band; and on Saturday 23, with Fire Ball, Dram Maker's, Maracatu and the comic, Paco Calonge. On Sunday morning the religious ceremonies will take place in honour of the Patron Saint, followed by the traditional refreshments outside the Town Hall. As from 5 p.m. there will be an artisanal market and in the evening a play by the group Coverbos.

The festivities in Mancor de la Vall, that started on June 16, include a wide range of activities for all ages. Most outstanding amongst the other proposals is the concert on Friday, June 22 with the groups Txifons, Satellites, Antònia Font, Orquestra Republicana and No diguis dois. On the eve of Sant Joan, Saturday 23, there will also be a dance with Cristal, Piscis and Xicarandana; the celebrations will continue throughout Sunday 24 with religious ceremonies and the traditional "ball de l'oferta", amongst other activities.

In Muro the patron fiestas started last Friday, June 15, with an extensive programme that include sports activities, concerts, dances, theatre, cinema... and even bulls. On Friday 22 there will be a concert by the groups Sullivans and Ella Baila Sola; On Saturday evening, the bands Orquidea Big Band, Química Latina and Nova Manhatan; and Sunday 24 Hitmania and Sergio Dalma.

In Sant Joan town once again the annual festivity "Festa del Sol que Balla", will be held on the morning of Sunday 24. In Felanitx, also on Sunday after the morning mass at 10.30 a.m., Sant Joan Pelós will dance through the streets of the town, coinciding with the Sunday market.

Sant Joan is the patron of Son Servera and since last weekend they have been celebrating in the town with a whole series of activities that can be consulted on related news.

The programme for the fiestas Sant Joan en Calvià can be found on the web of the Town Hall.

In Palma, the "Nit de Sant Joan" will be celebrated in the Parc de la Mar as from 9 pm. with popular dances, fire runs, fireworks and a grand dance.

More information about Sant Joan in the Balearics:
Fiestas for Sant Joan in the Pitiüses (EivissaWeb - 20/06/2001)
Menorca: Sant Joan fiestas in Ciutadella (MenorcaWeb - 13/6/2001)

Date of publication: 20/06/2001

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