Saint Augustine, a festival without oxen or marquis

FelanitxNeither oxen nor marquis, the free zone of the Quíbia felanitxera is today the territory of San Agustín, a festival that, as in recent years since 1984, has begun early in the morning with the legendary and typical proclamation of the Cosso, the bullfighting club converted to protest and irony since 2003.

This year marks 41 years since the Cosso club organized an alternative proclamation every August 28th, which, in the end, becomes the unofficial one and the most followed by the town. A sarcastic compilation of current political and social events, filtered through a controlled sieve of malice.

This year the performance The Plaza del Arraval was dominated by the sounds and words of the Xeremiers de Mallorca, who, amidst the Esteladas (flags of the stars), flags in support of the Palestinian people, and protests against the quica mega-farm and overcrowding of tourists, resonated with the force of flutes and tambourines.

In fact, the event began with a large group of English and German bathers—balconies and the purchase of properties in Forávila have been mentioned—on stage, with towels, swimsuits, and dubious manners and aesthetics. Immediately afterwards, a young man wearing an Argentine national football team jersey and a porteño accent acted as master of ceremonies. "My name is Diego Armando de Colón y Adrover, descendant of felanicheros who emigrated to San Pedro."

The group also mentioned the tribal feeling of the Felanitxer people, and the Mallorcan people by extension, as an 'Indian' defense against "the increasingly numerous pale faces," a clear reference to the foreigners who fill the island in droves every summer. "Every time I see foreigners, I notice I get hotter. Arruix guiris!" said Pep Toni Rubio as soon as he was introduced as the first of the xeremiers.

"Because here you are not menetos de cordeta, nor do you have a king, nor does it have a marquis... you are Palestinian cosieres! And we are proud to have been their shepherds for so many years," said the six, to the devotion of a devoted audience. Devoted to the celebration, but not to the "marquis of Manacor," who made an appearance, entering from one side of the square, inside a small boat covered in Spanish flags and a very noble American flag.

At the top of the stage, the (also fictional) mayor of Felanitx, Catalina Soler, was waiting for him. Little cart, who recreated their police conflict before welcoming Rafa Nadal and placing the royal crown on him in recognition of the Felanitxer people's love for their local idol. Maria Hein and Fades closed the festival in Arraval with this year's anthem, a version of the song "La morocha."

La Macarena

And while this was happening, and until 1 p.m., in the old La Macarena bullring, more than 300 people enjoyed a snack of fried fish and ice cream, amidst the sounds of paso dobles, olés, and the presence of the legendary banderillero, Isidoro Ruiz Romero, who had come from the city for the occasion and hadn't done so for almost 20 years. Moved, he dedicated a verónica to the audience, who also enjoyed another local icon, Juan "De Miedo," who sang some of his greatest hits.

After 12:30 pm and the solemn service for Saint Augustine in the church of Saint Alfonso ended, it was time to focus on the 'Palio', the little horses and the giant Felanitxers, who, between them all, created a scene worth seeing and which preceded, as every year, the passage of the authorities (stuffed from the club).

On this occasion, a meager representation and without prominent politicians from the Balearic scene. Councilors and the mayor passed by without further incidents between drips of water, beer and a mixture that looked like feathers.

The evening, after the appropriate menjua and bar support, has opened up to live music, to the social interaction of the street and garages and to the aroma of a joyful day, due to the party and the sky, which has not discharged everything it seemed.