23rd June from sundown …
Soller celebrates the Saints Day of Sant Juan or Saint John in the traditional way. St John – or John the Baptist is associated with baptism and water so his Saints Day takes us to the waters edge. The celebrated date is 24th June each year but the celebrations take place on the eve of the date with special significance at midnight.
Tradition dictates that you should wear white as a symbol of light and spirituality. Candles feature very heavily in this celebration and people make candles a feature of the their picnic areas on the beach. The candles start flickering as the sun goes down, people gather with their picnics, friends and family.
As the eve of St Juan comes to an end at midnight everyone goes into the sea – some to swim, some to paddle but the significance is that you are washing away the sins and negativity of the past year and emerging into new light. The rebirth of baptism is reinacted by all.
Music features so don’t be surprised at the strumming of a guitar or two or even the tones of the lonesome Sax.
Soller has its own particular myths, superstitions and legends about Sant Juan and for Deia he is their patron saint. They have a fiesta lasting two weeks at this time of year which places this fiesta in the heart of their ceremonies. In Cala Deia you will find the same rings of candles, people dressed in white enjoying the ‘throwing off of the old year and welcoming the new’.
This fiesta mixes personal resolutions for the coming year, the Summer Solstice and the opportunity to be part of a collective celebration of life.
See you on the Repic beach .
