FIESTAS IN EL PILAR DE LA MOLA

FEAST DAY IN EL PILAR  (LA MOLA) FORMENTERA

On October 12th, the small town of La Mola del Pilar in Formentera celebrated his big day, the day of its patron and therefore people dressed in gala costumes. Although these days have been rainy, the sky during this celebration wore an intense blue color highlighting more the festivity.

The festivities of each parish in the islands of Ibiza and Formentera are familiars, and some of them have some traditional features, in this case to be the Patroness of the village of La Mola is also the Patroness of the Civil Guard who also celebrate their big day, and they are those who take charge of the image in the procession.

The little and white temple remains very small to accommodate the people and tourists who join the celebration. The folks take the images that will participate in the procession through a side door of the church.

The procession starts from the church by the main road and later by the back quiet roads of the population, that pass between centenarian stone walls and fields of Formentera.

The touch of color puts the folk group with its bright colors that  accompany the procession dressed in their finery.

In this festival no shortage of bright colors of the costumes of Formentera that although equal to those of Ibiza have some small difference.

Once the procession ends begin the typical traditional dances that fill with their movements give even more color to this tiny town.

The dances are the same as Ibizans are two islands that unlike the rest of the Balearics have kept the dance, costumes and oldest instruments in the archipelago. As a curiosity the footwear in the traditional costumes of Formentera is usually not like that of Ibiza in the case of women and unlike her sister island, they usually carry different shoes.

Tourists are impressed by the notes of color in traditional costumes, music and dance, and when the dance end, everyone is invited to "oreilletes",  a typical dessert of the island, that maybe has its origins in north Africa, as the Arab heritage is constant in the culture of Ibiza and Formentera. In fact Formentera is the Balearic island closest to the African continent.

Next year on October 12th, same time, same place. 

In the La Mola del Pilar of Formentera, folks will wear their best clothes for their traditional festivities again.

AUGUST 5TH SAINT PATRON OF IBIZA AND FORMENTERA

FESTIVITIES OF IBIZA TOWN 

PROCESSION OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

For the second consecutive year is celebrated in Ibiza the procession of its patron saint, Our Lady of the Snows. The tour begins in the new area of the city, specifically from the parish of Santa Cruz, to the Cathedral located at the top of the hill where is located the ancient city of Ibiza today is "World Heritage" since 1999.

Some parishes involved carrying banners of their parish to accompany the patron saint of Ibiza and Formentera through the streets of the city. The best is when passing through a part of the impressive walls of the city of Ibiza.

The entrance to one of the most beautiful places in Ibiza (Portal de ses Taules) is somewhat complicated and you have to lower the image .... 

To get to the courtyard of arms, which is a place inside the walls of Ibiza where a few decades ago was located the first hippy market of Ibiza. 

Surprisingly, the patron saint of Ibiza is the Marian advocation of "Snow", snow is a rare event in the island ... but the choice of the patron has a rather historical explanation. 

In 1235, an August 8th, was conquered Ibiza by troops of the Crown of Aragon for the King of Aragon James I the Conqueror, (pictured above the shield of the King of Aragon can be seen embedded on the wall, behind the image of the Virgin), then once conquered the island to the Arabs, it was established that was to be built a church dedicated to St. Mary, however, it was established that the Marian devotion would be chosen by the closest Marian festivity of August 8, the day which the island was conquered. So, Santa Maria de las Nieves (also known as Santa Maria Maggiore) was choosen as Patron of Ibiza, and the new church was dedicated to her, as his feast day is celebrated on August 5th. 

The image continues its way towards the cathedral, passing through the famous city walls, and the most emblematic places of the town, while passing by the famous "Plaza de Vila" folks will mixing with tourists who are surprised with the fest. 

At this point the procession must face the most hard part because now comes the steepest slopes that reach the cathedral. Gradually the lights dim smoothly and the streets will be more narrows as we climb.

CARNIVAL IN IBIZA

LA RÚA DE CARNAVAL
CARNIVAL IN THE STREETS OF IBIZA 

Boundless imagination, streets full of color and choreography, and even laughter or moments for reflection because sometimes the features exposed by the people who participate are present characters, although there are also classics that are a must in a carnival.

Ibiza in carnivals can not compete with Rio de Janeiro, nor Tenerife, but there is no doubt that the streets are animated and filled with colorful with the cavalcade of this popular and local carnival held every year on Carnival Sunday. And the proof: these images that show that imagination and ingenuity are not lacking. From the Disney classics like The Lion King, where they staged a spectacular choreography.

And also the  Latins rhythms, percussion and dance during the hours-long parade, that passes through the main streets of the city. In the picture a group who brought to Ibiza, the island rhythms of Cuba.

The word "Carnival"  is always linked with Brazil, so there is always some Brazilian reminiscent, also here in the Carnival of Ibiza, which is quite international. Anyway the temperatures in February in Ibiza are a bit differents from the carioca country, but fortunately this year we were lucky, and the sun shone the whole time on the parade.

Ibiza´s carnival also mention some issues of the island. Here the huge parade of urchins, a very ibicenc animal that becomes every time less usual in the island fields. This is a tribute to this animal that is almost made of thousands spikes.

The aviation was present on several occasions, and in this participation there were  various colored planes made of baloons, which was dedicated to the 40 airmen. A very "retro" fashion and features.

This one was also about aviation, and to the fashion, was included a live music concert with a wonderful coreography.

Egypt, the ancient and powerful Egypt was also present into the Ibiza streets, the group performed on a spectacular choreography and very colorful costumes of the ancient Egypt era.

The carnival of Venice is worldwide famous. For those who could not go there this time, a group brought the Venice carnival here, a group dressed with elegant costumes through the city.

the imagination in carnival is very vast indeed, and also the characters in stories have their place here. Kings, princes, soldiers, maids.... etc. In the picture above the members of an association recreates the story of "Rapunzel".

The great classics are also present here, although the day was beautiful and very very sunny, a huge group performed the "singing in the rain", so the umbrellas this time were useful for the spectacular coreagrafia that these young people did.

The Carnival says goodbye, until next year, when the next carnival Sunday 2015 will be held once more, this parade through the Ibiza streets offering colourful and happiness.

CARNIVAL IN SANTA AGNÈS DE CORONA

CARNIVAL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

In the small and cozy locality of santa Agnès de Corona was not absent the carnival this weekend. A carnival with enough expectation and accompanied of the almond-trees in flower.
From spectacular dresses of Venetian style, or the coal sellers in bicycle, the above mentioned influenced maybe for the famous "sitga" that is in the habit of doing in this village on their "fiesta" of the town at the end of January.

Fiction features are mixed with the numerous walkers that on weekend invaded the small village.

But those who really made the big performance were the adorers of the god Baco, who is in turn the god of the wine, and therefore the one who had major followers, interpreting at all time frenetic dances of all his followers, undoubtedly they were those who came without discretion....!!!

choreographic dancers and many animation they brought in this parade this numerous group. A horse, the god baco and even a Greek temple that they made parade to the whole village...



The party ended by night, and then it was moved to the social lounge of the village.... One more excuse to visit this lovely village, this time with insured animation.
Now we must wait until next year....

SANT BARTOMEU 2009

HOLIDAY IN HONOUR TO SANTA AGNES IN SANT ANTONI DE

PORTMANY ON SAINT BARTHOLOME´S DAY

This way it would be the name of these holidays(parties) that according to the tradition maaany years ago, maybe hundreds of them a ship in a strong tempest was furrowing for the Mediterranean. On board of this ship the sailors had a picture (other sources talk about an image) of Saint Agnes on board and they promised that they would deliver it in the port where they were arriving safe. On August 24 (I do not know if anyone knows the year) they came to Portmany's Port, where they did delivery the picture (or image) of Saint Agnes. From this date and reminding this event on this day the holidays were celebrated in honor to Saint Agnes (not to confuse with the neighboringvillage of Santa Agnés that though it would treat itself of same Saint, the date of celebration in the neighboring village is the January 21th). There are historical chronicles that talks about holiday(party) to which meet people of the whole island, were celebrated in the " Santa Agne´s Cave" at few kilometres of the town, there there was a great lake where it was the point of meeting. The part of the cave with the lake seems to be that was ruined and the holiday stayed a bit in the oblivion. Nowadays they are known popularly like festes of Sant Bartomeu, not knowing the origin as why of the holiday. It seems that thanks to a very famous Priest in the Town called Bartomeu, the "fiesta" re-threw again this festivity.
Nowadays the biggest point of this festivity are the spectaculars fireworks at midnight of the August 24th. People all over the island are concentrated here to see them.

Here you are some views of this fireworks this year.
The bay was under the fireworks colours from the performance. And now we must wait untill next year to see the next ones.