Summer starts, "Sant Joan" arrives

Coinciding with the arrival of the heat, the summer fiestas get going all over the Balearics, being "Sant Joan Baptista" the first celebration of the calendar, on June 24.

The most well-known and spectacular "Festes de Sant Joan" are the ones in Ciutadella on the island of Menorca, although there are also worth stressing the fiestas of Sant Joan de Labritja on Eivissa, the "Nit de Sant Joan" that the IEE organises every year also on the island of Eivissa, and the fiestas for Sant Joan in la Mola de Formentera.

On Mallorca Sant Joan is celebrated in many towns: Calvià, Deià, Felanitx, Mancor de la Vall, Muro, Sant Joan, Palma, Son Servera, Porreres...

In Felanitx the day of Sant Joan has a very special element, the "Ball de Sant Joan Pelós", an old tradition starring a man that represents Saint John Baptist, who from very ancient times is used to taking a walk around the streets of Felanitx, on this important day of the festive calendar

Exceptional because of its popular style is the "Festa del Sol que balla" (the festival of the sun that dances) that is held in the town of Sant Joan organised by the association of parents of the CP Son Juny, a tradition closely linked with the festivity of the midsummer solstice, that consists in watching the sunrise in the sanctuary of the Consolación. This is followed by games and at 8.30 a.m. the Mass followed by chocolate and ensaimadas.

In Deià, Mancor de la Vall, Muro and Son Servera, Sant Joan Baptista is the Patron Saint and their fiestas usually last over a week, with very long and varied programmes of activities. In Porreres, Sant Joan is the second Patron Saint and there will be some activities that can be found on the web of the Town Council.

In Palma the "Nit de Sant Joan" will take place again in the Parc de la Mar with a spectacular Nit de Foc by Iguana Teatre, production that this year celebrates its 15 anniversary. More over, on Tuesday 24, there will be a day of open doors at the Fundació Joan Miró including workshops, puppets, entertainment and many other activities for all ages.

Photo: "Nit de Foc" de Iguana Teatre

Date of publication: 18/06/2003

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