The brotherhoods maintain the San Sebastián celebrations despite the official suspension

PalmCort has suspended all programming for San Sebastián Despite the Córdoba train accident, the festivities continue. Three members of prominent Palma brotherhoods have confirmed to ARA Baleares that the Palma City Council has not instructed them to cancel anything and that the celebrations will proceed. This perfectly illustrates the two opposing sides that have emerged around the San Sebastián festivities: the institutional side and the popular side. The City Council has opted to cancel the evening concerts, while the residents of Palma are continuing with the unofficial program and celebrating a popular festival with rituals and traditions that operate outside the control of institutions, aiming to foster community spirit. Other alternative proposals not included in the official program, such as those organized by the Housing Union, are also proceeding with their planned events.

The San Sebastián festival kicks off. And it begins where it all started: Can Vinagre. Walking down Carrer dels Oms, you'll see strings of colorful pennants and green scarves belonging to Palma's oldest brotherhood: the San Sebastián brotherhood. This group is clear that "San Sebastián is all day long," as they've stated on their Instagram profile since 2013. That year, 130 people gathered at Bodega Sa Prensa to celebrate the festival, which this Monday brought together many brotherhoods—the Sant Quadart Brotherhood, the Abundancia Brotherhood, and the Pink Sant Brotherhood—in front of Can Vinagre. They do so with the intention of demonstrating that "you can celebrate beyond institutions and official programs," explains Mateu, a member of Orgull Llonguet.

"Good morning, Can Vinagre!" was the opening line of the proclamation that sent everyone into a frenzy. Each person wore a neckerchief with the name and color representing their brotherhood. The town crier sent a message to the City Council: "This is our festival," and also criticized the festival of the Patron Saint. She reminded everyone that "the main festival will always be San Sebastián." To kick off the festivities, she asked Mateu, the owner of Can Vinagre, for permission, which he gladly granted. "Long live San Sebastián!" the town crier exclaimed. "Long live!" the attendees responded.

The banners of the brotherhoods began to wave to the sound of the music. The characteristic elements of the festival were also present: people dressed as La Pesta, a festival that has also been revived thanks to the efforts of the brotherhoods, and the arm of Saint Sebastian – referring to the relic of Saint Sebastian's arm kept in Palma Cathedral – among others. Then, a rocket exploded, its sound echoing throughout the street, marking the start of the festival. Meanwhile, members of the Saint Sebastian brotherhood distributed cups of "holy water" (anise liqueur). The brotherhoods have already obtained all the necessary permits to begin the celebrations.

Meanwhile, another event was held on Blanquerna Street, where approximately 25 brotherhoods gathered. This alternative initiative in Can Vinagre arose when residents admitted they couldn't all fit on Oms Street, so "the San Sebastián brotherhood asked everyone to do it in their own neighborhoods so that all of Palma could participate," explains Jonás, coordinator of the San Love Brotherhood. This reflects the growing popularity of the festival and the increasing number of citizens who want to actively participate, either by forming a new brotherhood or joining an existing one. Before the opening address began, a minute of silence was observed for the victims of the Córdoba train accident. Afterward, applause echoed through Blanquerna. The address then commenced, and all the brotherhoods erupted in cheers upon seeing their speaker. In this way, the festival that began in 2013 on Oms Street is spreading and filling other streets of Palma with joy and emotion. Almost 120 brotherhoods are already registered, according to Jonás's estimate, although he points out that "there are many people who also celebrate everything, but not under the name of any brotherhood." While some of the attendees have taken time off work to celebrate Saint Sebastian's Day, others are grateful that their company did so because otherwise, they would have taken the day off, they say. "We are a teacher, and the school where I work chose to give us that day off. Otherwise, I would have asked for a day without pay," asserts Mireia, a member of the Madones a la Fresca brotherhood, a group that originated from Sa Corrala, a self-managed choir in Mallorca.

After the opening speech, the members of the brotherhoods went to have lunch, each with their group, at the restaurant where they had made reservations. Months before Saint Sebastian's Day, the brotherhood organizers make agreements with various bars and restaurants in the City a set menu. The different groups communicate via WhatsApp and finalize how many people will attend and what the scheduled events are, among other things.