Thursday, January 10, 2008

Fiestas of San Antonio Abad 2008

Coming up next on the island's calendar are the fiestas of San Antonio Abad, which I euphemistically refer to as the Fiestas of Animal Poo, as that more accurately reflects what the streets become knee deep with after thousands of farm animals and an increasing number of pets are brought into towns for their annual blessing.

That euphemism is no reflection upon the quality of the entertainment, mind you, as astonishment is probably the emotion you will feel most; at the number of animals, the sheer quantity of what they leave behind, as well as their cuteness, particularly the fact that herds of goats follow routes and round corners in perfect formation like synchronized swimmers.

Arona, on the south of the island, is one of the first to celebrate the fiesta of San Antonio Abad this weekend. On Friday night is a traditional Baile de Magos (Dance in typical costume) from 10 p.m. There are various events on Saturday, but the main ones; the Craft Fair opening at 10 a.m., with mass at 11 a.m. followed by the Romeria and procession of carts, animals, etc., are on Sunday, January 13th.

Likewise, there are Romerías of San Antonio Abad in Los Realejos, held in Tigaiga on a Sunday in the middle of the month (13th). It's then held in San Vicente the following Sunday (20th) and finally at the end of the month (27th) in the historic centre of Realejo Bajo, next to the Hacienda de Los Príncipes.

In Los Silos, the main day of the fiestas of San Antonio Abad is Sunday, January 20th, with their Craft Fair and Livestock Fair, a tradition that dates back to 1748. In addition, I phoned the Town Hall in Buenavista del Norte, who inform me that the big day of the fiesta here is Sunday, January 27th.