Blessing the animals

Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals, is looking down so kindly and encouragingly on the animals parading in front of his Palma church on the morning of his feast as if it were not him who had to endure the temptation of thousands of demons the previous night. All the animals of Mallorca are represented here, from the police horses through the seeing-eye dogs to the complete chicken-yards carried on carts decorated with flowers. Perhaps even the elephant and camel are here, which disembark on 6 January together with the Magi and march along the Bearn promenade, but I do not know, this year I have arrived late, only the little ones are left for me.


Bagpipe and drum: Blessing of the animals in front of the church of Saint Anthony, 17 January 2014. Recorded by Lloyd Dunn.