The fiesta of Sant Antoni is the town fiesta for Fornells and is held annually on the fourth weekend in July and the dates vary. What is constant each year is the series of events and traditions across the Saturday evening. Some times indicated are approximate.
- Sant Antoni Fornells Menorca
SATURDAY
16.45h – Ringing of the Bells & Parade of Giants
To advise of the start of the fiesta bells are rung and at the same time the band of Mercadal parades through the town with els gegants i capgrossos, the giants and big heads!
17.00h – Primer toc des Fabiol
First flute and drum of the fiestas.
The whistle blower known as the Fabioler goes to the local office for the council to ask permission from the mayor to start the fiesta, and start to round up the horses around town. Then the drum and whistle is played for the first time in front of the mayor and the crowds.
Next the Fabioler goes to collect the Caixer Sobreposat from his home, on horseback they both return to the local office for the council to collect the town’s flag.
Following tradition, they head to collect the Caixer Casat and Caixer Pagès and then lap the town collecting the rest of the horses and riders that make up the cavalcade known as la Qualcada.
18.30h – Caixer Capellà, Caixera Batlessa, El Bastó
Once all the horses have joined the cavalcade they proceed to collect the priest, Caixer Capellà, then finally onto collect the Caixera Batlessa who presides over the cavalcade and the fiestas.
The cavalcade then returns to the local office for the council where the Caixera Batlessa receives el bastó as a symbol of leadership over the fiestas.
Following this the cavalcade completes es Caragol, which is the lap around the central streets of the town.
19.30h – Celebració de les Solemnes Completes
The riders leave their horses and proceed on foot to the the religious ceremony in honour of Sant Antoni Abat.
20.30h – Jaleo
After the mass the riders return to their horses to participate in the Jaleo played by the Band of Es Mercadal, amongst the crowds.
After the Jaleo the riders proceed on foot to the Recepcion offered by the local council in the Castell de Sant Antoni. The supper for the horse riders is known as sa beguda.
SUNDAY
9.00h – Fabioler & Qualcada
The Fabioler starts the day again with the same start from the evening before collecting the caixers, caixeres, flag and horseriders round town finishing with the Caixera Batlessa.
11.00h – Missa Solemne
Next is mass Missa Solemne, in the church of Sant Antoni with the caixers and authorities.
Jaleo en plaça de s’Algaret
Once again the Jaleo is played with the presence of the horses in the main square and the riders are given symbolic green reeds and silver spoons.
13.00h – Recepció al Castell de Sant Antoni
A reception in theCastleofSaint Anthonyfor the people of the town and the caixers.
Despedida y Darrer toc des Fabiol
After the reception the cavalcade accompanies the Caixera Batlessa and Caixer Capellà back to their homes and as a farewell, the drum and flute is played for the last time for the crowds.
