During the summer months, Menorca plays host to a long held tradition of fiestas, or ‘Festes’. Throughout the season there is a procession of well known and smaller fiestas, and it is a wonderful way of getting to know the traditions of the island. The enthusiasm of the locals is infectious and it is easy to get caught up in the excitement. So if you want to let down your hair and celebrate the summer Spanish style, coincide your Menorca villa holidays with some fiesta fun!
Sant Joan Festival Cuitadella (Festival of St John the Baptist)
Menorca’s festival season officially begins on the 23rd of June each year with the most famous – the festival of Sant Joan. Dating back to the 14th century, the fiesta is in honour of John the Baptist, but is as much to show off the magnificent dressage skills of the Menorcan horsemen as anything else.
At precisely 2pm on the 23rd the fiesta begins at the Palace of the Nobleman – Caixer Senyo. The opening ceremony includes a spectacular procession and if you’re very lucky it may pass right by your Menorca villa. Each rider represents a sector of island society; the church, the nobility, the craftsmen or the farmers. Joining the procession are many locals on foot dressed in lambskins to represent John the Baptist. The participants in the parade are from all over the island and aged anything from 7 to 70. The Menorcan horses which are the real stars of the show are beautiful creatures with shiny jet black coats and powerful, muscle bound bodies. They are highly skilled in dressage and parade on their hind legs throughout the procession, with everyone jostling to touch their hearts for luck as they rear up.
On the second day of the fiesta there are bouts of jousting and other games, and the evening culminates in the jousting finale and a huge fireworks display. There is much dancing, eating and drinking the fiesta is a wonderful time for people of all ages. Visitors are welcome and many people book their Menorca villa holidays in June especially to attend this joyous fiesta.
Festes de la Vierge de Gracia – Mahon (Festival of Our Lady of Grace)
Every town in Menorca holds a fiesta celebrating their own patron saint, and if you’re planning a Menorca villa holiday in September, you’ll be able to experience the final fiesta of the season– the Fiesta of Our Lady of Grace in Mahon.
Held from the 6th to the 9th of September the celebration involves skilful equestrian performances, dancing, fire works and of course lots of food and drink. It marks the end of the fiesta season and is a particularly lively affair. As is usual in Menorcan fiestas, the festivities are centred on the horses. Over the four days you can attend dressage displays; the rompre ses carotes – jousting; the ensortilla – which tests balance; and the most skilful and dangerous sport where two riders link arms with each other whilst on separate horses and gallop at breakneck speed down the street side by side. It is an exhilarating and nail biting display!
The Feste de la Vierge de Gracia is a joyful affair conducted with much clapping, stomping of feet and general Spanish passion! It involves the locals of the island as well as the many tourists on their Menorca villa holidays. The colourful processions, games and events over the four days are a wonderful climax to the summer fiesta season.
Author Resource:-
Lucie Evans is a Mediterranean specialist at Villa Select, a specialist operator with an exclusive selection of Menorca villa holidays (http://www.villaselect.com/destination.asp?destination=5) and luxury villas in prime Mediterranean locations. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find your dream v
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