Son Mesquida is a small hamlet near Felanitx with perhaps 250 inhabitants. The Festes de la Immaculada are celebrated in this pueblecito every year in December with an immaculate fogueron (bonfire), a massive torrada (barbecue), a giant paella for all and an annual sheepdog contest. The skills of pastors (shepherds) and their dogs from Manacor, Pollença, Selva and Felanitx, as well as from Catalunya and the País Basque are demonstrated to great effect.

The Día de la Inmaculada Concepción de la Virgen María is a national holiday in all of Spain (December 8th). The Virgin Mary is also Mallorca’s most venerated saint with an indefinite number of fiestas and celebrations in her glory, here on this island.

The photo (top) was taken at the immaculate bonfire on Tuesday night, whilst the photo (bottom) was taken at last year’s sheepdog trials.

The photos were taken in Son Mesquida (Felanitx), Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The dates: December 7th, 2010 and December 8th, 2009. The time was 19:42:37 and 13:33:53, respectively.