Summer is the time for Fiestas in Mallorca, with village communities coming out in big style to sing and dance and celebrate and, generally, be cheerful.

The nice thing about Mallorca festivities is the chance to get to know some of the local customs and traditions, be that bullfighting, Ball de Bot dancing, battling the Moors, duck throwing, stone slinging, snail eating or quail shooting. I love these Mallorcan traditions because I see them as genuine, life-affirming, colourful and socially vibrant. And more often than not, as quite distinct from the village fêtes that one is accustomed to.

The proud village of Porreres is celebrating the Festes de Sant Roc this week. The actual saint’s day is tomorrow, Saturday (August 16th), when a Tirada local a Guàtleres can be attended at the finca Son Veny, at 15h00. If you own a shotgun you might be invited to participate in the shooting event, provided you cough up the entry fees of 35 €.

Should blood sports, however, not be deemed suitable, you might prefer to listen to the Coral de Porreres giving a powerful concert at the local parish church, on Saturday night, at 21h00. Or else tonight, August 15th, at 21h00, when a big get-together at the Municipal park of N’Hereveta will offer food, wine, barbecue and merriment, to be followed by Mallorcan pop groups performing throughout the night. The Sa Torrada night, as it is called, will last all night before it ends at 06h00 the next morning, when free Ensaïmadas with hot chocolate will be served for tots and all.    

The photo was taken in Porreres, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: August 14th, 2008. The time was 13:18:40.