Event: Spain

Fiesta La Patrona

When:	2 - 8 Aug 2008 (annual)
Where:	Pollenca

Fiesta La Patrona in Pollença re-enacts the 1550 midnight battle between local hero Joan Mas and the invading Barbary Pirates led by Dragut Rais. The celebrations start every year with an Alborada (a traditional Pollençan song).

The morning song is followed by a Mass, after which revellers take to the main square to enjoy the dance of Els Cossiers. At 6pm an image of the Virgin Mary travels through the streets in a procession led by folk in traditional period costume from the 1500s.

The real fun starts at 7pm, when the battle against the pirates is re-enacted. Legend has it that Mas led his fellow citizens to victory armed only with sticks. In the re-enactment, villagers dress up in tatty pyjamas and face paint, armed with cutlasses, swords and sticks. Some eight battles take place over the course of the evening, which reaches its apogee with a victorious fireworks display.

The celebrations continue throughout the week with a programme of concerts and activities, which is released in mid-July.