The next big event of the new year happens around the 17th January when the fiesta of Sant Antoni is celebrated island wide. Sant Antoni was allegedly a very simple man with a reputation for being very kind to animals; The celebration of his Saint’s day begins the evening before with much music and dance. The cold winter nights are tempered by the open braziers (torradas) which are lit on the street for people to bring their own food to barbeque and enjoy a very unusual street party. Groups of people dress up as Dimonis and run through the street with crazy fireworks to ward off evil spirits. It is spectacular, exciting, a little bit scary, but actually a lot of fun. If you are thinking of “dancing with the devils” which many do, don’t wear synthetic fibres, and wear old clothes as sparks from their fireworks may land and burn little holes. It may seem like chaos, but actually it is very organised and if you look on the edges of the event you will see fire services always present and watching.
Places to check out: Sa Pobla, Manacor, Artà, Pollença, Santanyí, Son Servera, Andratx, Algaida and Muro. Other areas also celebrate this popular festival.
Perhaps the most charming aspect of Sant Antoni though are the Beneïdes, which translated, means the blessing of the animals. This custom originates from when islanders relied greatly on agriculture and animals and on 17th January, the farmers took their animals to the parish church to be blessed by the priest. This custom continues to this day although in 2024, the animals being blessed are more likely to be the family cat, dog, maybe a sheep, a goldfish, and some donkeys. But if you go to the more rural areas of the island then you will also see horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and plenty of locals wearing the traditional clothes of their great grandparents.
Everyone is welcome to take their pet or animal to be blessed, it is customary to make a donation to the church when the priest blesses you. In some areas you are given a gift which makes a lovely souvenir of the day.
TIP: put a red neckerchief on your dog for the event!
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