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Festivals are the signs of identity that shape the town of Esporles. In this regard, we always try to promote the participation of the people in the organization of local events.
Sant Pere is the patron saint of Esporles and the festival is celebrated on 29 June. Even though the programme of events is different every year, there are several events that are held every year and are already part of our tradition. One of the most outstanding events is the decoration of the streets with paper garlands by the neighbours; a competition is held between the streets. Other outstanding events are the launching of a rocket each time an event starts, an exhibition by artists and artisans and above all the dinner on the streets which brings the neighbours of each street together on a single table.
The neighbours of "La Vilanova" do not decorate their streets with paper garlands on Sant Pere Day. They do so during the Festival of la Virgen María de Agosto, to whom the chapel of the area is devoted. It was built 40 years ago by the neighbours with the help of the Charity Sisters of San Vicente de Paúl. In 1973 after years of not celebrating the traditional festival of La Vilanova, a group of young people cleaned up the debris from the factory to organize the festival that is still celebrated every year.
The Festival of “l’Ermita” (the chapel) is held on the last Sunday of August. A large number of people walk to the chapel. After the mass, there are traditional dancing, paella competition, etc.
Apart from the local festivals, there are other social, leisure and religious events that are part of the traditions of our island such as the Christmas celebrations, the Chant of la Sibil•la and the Sermon of la Calenda. Other traditions celebrated in Esporles are the Blessings of Sant Antoni, the Carnival parade, the Easter and Corpus Christi processions, the blessing of sweets by Sant Blas, etc.
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