Artà erupts with the first devil dance and claims Saint Anthony as its own

PalmArtà was buzzing again this Friday with the first dance of the devil, the most anticipated moment that symbolically marks the beginning of Sant Antoni in the town. To the beat of a reed, the brass band played the familiar tune.Tatachín And, with the first notes, the two demons burst into the square amidst shouts, applause, and a pent-up anticipation that had been building for hours.

The first dance lasted only a few minutes, but it was enough to unleash collective euphoria. Suddenly, the town sprang into action: dozens of people climbed onto the platform behind the demons, who began their ritual procession through the streets of Artà, turning each stop into a small, impromptu stage. The party progressed gradually, amidst spontaneous jogging, laughter, and the music that echoed between the facades.

One of the first iconic images of the day featured Demoni Gros, who danced with a baby in his arms, a scene that evoked tenderness and a sense of camaraderie among the attendees. Meanwhile, the locals took turns joining in, dancing for a few seconds, and then yielding their place, in a collective choreography that is an integral part of the celebration.

San Antonio is also, as every year, a territory of symbolic rivalries. From the early hours of the morning, the residents of Artana have asserted their "ownership" of the festival with a refrain that has been heard repeatedly through the streets and squares of the town:

Up from Puig Colomer

They found a sinkhole.

Neither waller nor villager,

Sant Antoni is from Artana!

The demons danced in front of dozens of houses, following a route that blended tradition and improvisation, while the crowd faithfully accompanied them every step of the way. From the balconies, people shouted "Come on up, come on up!", inviting family and friends to join the festivities from inside. The windows were filled with neighbors who watched, phones in hand or simply with their eyes wide open, so as not to miss a single detail of the demon's procession.

With the first dance, Artà has once again demonstrated that Sant Antoni is not only experienced: it is inhabited, danced to and defended as an essential part of the collective identity of the town.