Fornalutx Fira
The Soller valley contains the village of Fornalutx - high above Soller it nestles into the mountains and its name literally translated means ‘the oven of the sun’. Fornalutx has it all – prizes for being the prettiest village in Spain and accolades from visitors and travel writers that come from all over the world.
This week Fornalutx has been in the news with animal rights protestors objecting to the ‘Bull run’ that happens every September. This is a tradition that marks the start of the Fiesta of Fornalutx to celebrate its patron saint La Mare de Deu (the mother of God). This is a village that holds firm to its traditions and some of them are not for the fainthearted.
Fornalutx has a flower filled village square that looks up to the church that dominates the place. The picturesque houses open on to the steps which lead down to the centre, a village which is crying out to be explored. Around the next corner is another charming view or magnificent vista stretching out over the mountains and valley. Many mountain walks start from here and the route past the cemetery gently wending its way back down to Soller is a ‘warm up trail’ for many people before tackling some of the ‘hard man’ walks of the area.
It is a place to spend some time in to absorb what it is really all about. The hidden valley has a gentle rivalry between Soller and Fornalutx which goes back to the 1800’s when Fornalutx was freed from Soller’s control and awarded its own Council status. Memories last in this time warp and scratch beneath the surface and you will find a derogatory story or two.
All that is forgotten for the duration of the fiesta and all are welcome – visitors and Sollerics alike. This village likes to dance so every night of the fiesta there is live music and dancing in the square and the programme is as follows:
Monday 6th September 2010
8.00 The pipes and drums of the town band The Xeremiers parade through town escorting the bull. The parade is a lively and noisy affair ending in a breakfast picnic.
16.00 Children’s games organised by local parents – always ends wet! Children should bring their swimming costumes
20.30 Fornalutx has an open air dinner together – Pa amb boli, drinks, ice cream and drinks. Buy your tickets – 5€ for adults and 3 € for children from any of the local bars or shops.
Followed by music and dancing until the early hours to the sounds of Brasilial Show, Crazy Melody and the Acrobatic Kenian Boys.
Tuesday 7th September 2010
11 am Mass in honour of the saints at Fornalutx church
12noon Musical Spectacular for children
19.00 Bouncy castles for the little children (free) and a major football tournament for the boys
20.00 Aire Sollerics – local traditional dance groups perform in the square
Then its music all the way from 23.00 with live bands Duo Piscis, Minut Band, Petit Pelucon Flowers and DJ sets
Wednesday 8th September 2010
9.30 am The Music Band of Soller parades through Fornalutx
11 am Solemn mass of the Fiesta
12 noon More music from the Soller Band
16.30 Gymkhana, tennis and other sporting opportunities
21.30 Theatre group performance
And at midnight the grand finale a magnificent firework display to bring 2010’s fiesta to a glorious end.
Old rivalries forgotten and fun for all! Fornalutx have been preparing this fiesta for a year and they hope you enjoy it as much as they will.
