Menorca prepares its identity festival

CitadelMenorca commemorates the 739th anniversary of the Reconquista of the island this Saturday at noon. The celebrations will take place under the threat of persistent rain in the old town of Ciutadella, where the Procession of the Three Touches will be held, recalling the triumphant entry of Alfonso III's troops on January 17, 1287. The youngest councilor in the municipal corporation, Núria Pons, will lead the procession this year, wearing a Greek TAU symbol, in the Plaça de les Palmeres (Palm Tree Square), where the old Maó Gate of the city walls once stood. Thousands of people will follow the event, the same crowd that will later visit the more than twenty stalls at the fair set up along the Contramurada (the city's outer walls). It will be the first Saint Anthony's Day celebration without the traditional pig raffle at Ciutadella's orange and date market. The fine imposed on the City Council last year following a complaint from the PACMA party and in compliance with the Animal Welfare Law has forced a change to this tradition. No black pigs will be on display this year; instead, a pig festival will be held, and the proceeds will be raffled off, again to benefit the Hospital Board and the Association of Relatives of the Municipal Nursing Home. Even so, the Maó Animal Shelter has distanced itself from the celebration, stating that the animal blessings "have turned into a livestock fair."

Sant Antoni, the Diada of the Menorcans, returns to spread the island's identity with its bell and the inseparable piglet. The celebration will include the correfoc (fire run) of the Myotragus Demons of Ferreries, the glosa (traditional Spanish verse) recitals, and traditional games. And, among the 109 events programmed by the town councils and the Island Council, there will also be institutional events. The opening address that historian and municipal archivist Marc Pallicer will give on Friday evening at the Ciutadella Town Hall, and the one that will take place the following day at the Biosphere Square headquarters in Maó.

The debate on housing will be the focus of the Sant Antoni festivities. The PP government in the Consell has invited economist Marcos de Quinto to contribute "a liberal perspective on housing" to the institutional conference, which has sparked controversy due to his lack of connection to Menorca. Afterwards, the Principal Theatre in Maó will host the traditional Sant Antoni concert, featuring the Balearic Symphony Orchestra and promising young singers Cristina Álvarez, Samantha Bagur, Arnau Tarragó, and Ricard Bosch.

Twice as many foreigners welcomed who turn 20

The Sant Antoni festival is often used to celebrate the diversity of today's society and the growing acceptance of newcomers. In Menorca, this trend continues to grow year after year. Currently, 21,426 residents, just over 20% of the registered population, were born abroad. This figure has doubled in the last 20 years, as in 2005 there were only 11,683 foreign-born residents. It is also noteworthy that one in three foreign-born residents, 7,130 citizens, have renounced their Spanish nationality. These are more residents who, therefore, can feel a strong sense of belonging to the Menorca that was forged in the historical events of eight centuries ago.