Horses play the leading role in all popular fiestas that are held throughout the Minorcan summer. From June to September, horses and their riders, dressed in mainly black and white and decorated with ribbons, embroidery and multi-coloured carnations, relive each year a ritual that has its origins in the beginning of the 14th century.
The calendar for the popular fiestas is as follows:
June 23rd and 24th: Sant Joan in Ciutadella.
End of July: Es Mercadal, Fornells and Es Castell.
August, almost every weekend: Es Migjorn Gran, Llucmaçanes, Alaior, Sant
Climent, Ferreries (24th and 25th , Sant Bartomeu) and Sant
Lluís.
September 8th and 9th, Mare de Déu de Gràcia in Maó.
The most traditional of the fiestas is that of Sant Joan. It dates back to the
beginning of the 14th century and is religious in origin. The vestry-board of the saint
heads in pilgrimage on horseback, to a small rural chapel in order to honour their patron.
The "caixers" are riders who represent the social strata: the church, nobility, craftsmen
(master and apprentice) and country people (farmers, one from the north and one from the
south of the city limits). The "cavallers" (riders) who make up the majority of the
"qualcada" (cavalcade), are all country people of different ages, from 7 or 8 to more
than 70!
The fiesta starts on the Sunday prior to the 24th June, known as the
"Día des Be". A countryman, dressed in lambskin, similar to Saint John the Baptist,
walks barefoot through the old streets of Ciutadella accompanied by the "caixers"
(riders), who are also on foot, inviting everyone to the fiesta that is approaching. On
the 23rd at precisely 2 p.m., the fiesta starts at the palace of the "Caixer Senyor" (the
nobleman) who presides over the fiesta for a two-year period. The fiesta starts with the
"primer toc" , which is the first playing of a flute known as the "flabiol". This is a
simple flute made out of cane and this, together with a small drum, permanently marks
time for the celebration.
The main events and the times of the fiesta are as follows:
23rd June: 2 p.m.: palace of the "Caixer Senyor"; 6 p.m. Plaça des Born, where
horses and riders demonstrate their skills and elegance to the rhythm of the "jaleo", the
typical music of the fiesta; 7.30 p.m.: rural chapel of Sant Joan de Missa, which is 3
kms. from Ciutadella; 9 p.m.: calle de Ses Voltes, plaza de la Catedral; 11.30 p.m.: the
narrow streets between Ses Voltes and the museum of the Bastió de Sa Font and
Santa Clara.
24th June: approx. 10.00 a.m.: trials for the Medieval games in Pla de Sant Joan in
the port of Ciutadella. The evening events are repeated in the medieval streets. At 6
p.m. the "convidada" takes place. This is when the noble rider invites the town hall to
view the games that take place in Es Pla an hour later: These games are the most
spectacular and dangerous of the fiesta and the most experienced riders take part in
these games. They consist of three trials of equestrian skills: "Ensortilla", which is a
test of equilibrium and aim; " rompre ses carotes", which is a jousting test between two
riders and finally a more dangerous test in which two horses set off on a gallop together,
with their riders arm in arm.
The typical drink of the fiesta and of all fiestas of the island is "gin", a heritage
of the English, which is drunk with lemonade or fresh lemon juice. This drink is known as
"pomada" in most of the island.
During Sant Joan and the other summer fiestas, the Minorcan breed of horse has one of
the most important roles, even though other breeds of horses also take part. The Minorcan
breed of horse, officially recognized as an indigenous breed in 1989, should be completely
black in colour and slender, with rounded eyes and a lively look, muscular and powerful,
with long extremities, a noble character, energetic and strong with an elegant and rustic
appearance. These horses are suitable for any type of saddle or harness. The Association
of Owners and Breeders of the Minorcan horse work tirelessly to improve the genes of this
horse, that is very popular with European breeders, especially Catalan, German and
Italian breeders. According to the latest research, this breed is of Berber origin and it
is one of the few totally black horses preserved in Europe. As work in the fields was
traditionally done using donkeys, the horse has maintained its slenderness and agility of
movement. Today, there are examples of this horse of great beauty and continuous interest.
The patron saint fiesta is repeated in other fiestas of other towns and villages of
the island, but the "Caixer Senyor" (nobleman rider) is replaced by the "Caixer Batle",
who is the mayor or a member of the town council.
The patron saint fiesta of the island takes place on January 17th and is
known as "Sant Antoni". On this day, the arrival of troops from the Catalan-Aragonese
king, Alfonso III the liberal in 1287 is remembered. From this date, the island was
incorporated into the kingdom of Aragón, after having been under Muslim domination
for nearly 400 years.
