Today, everything will be shut in Felanitx. The town is celebrating a public holiday in honour of Santa Margalida, one of the two patron saints of Felanitx.

The Festa de Santa Margalida is one of the rare occasions when one can see the Cavallets. Els Cavallets is a dance formation originating from 1603 when the convent of Sant Agustí was set up in Felanitx. The Cavallets is a group of seven children from 10 to 13 years, originally all male, representing noblemen on horseback. Six Cavallets are dressed in white garments with a red coat and a green hat, carrying the figure of a horse over their bodies. A seventh Cavallet is called La Dama who is dressed in white, with a green blouse and a red hat. Only in recent years, girls were allowed to represent La Dama or participate as a nobleman. La Dama carries a handkerchief to mark the beat and indicate the start of the dance. The Cavallets performed last night, accompanied by the Felanitx Xeremiers, some local Caparrots and two Dimonis. Later last night, a short but impressive fireworks display erupted from the top of the church of Sant Miquel.

Tonight, there will be a church service. The Felanitx choir will perform in the church and after the service, the Cavallets will do a bit more dancing. After that, a correfoc will be held, a fire run.

There are Cavallets in Pollença as well, but they are represented by adults.

In a way, the Festa de Santa Margalida is the start of the festive Summer season in Felanitx, lasting until Sant Agustí (August 28th) and until recently culminating in the famous Felanitx corrida (bullfight). There will be no bullfight in Felanitx this year, though, now for the second year running. There may never be another bullfight, here, as far as I can see.

The photo was taken in Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: July 19th, 2010. The time was 19:33:22.