Dance and Celebrate on Ibiza
The night clubs are well known but dancing of a different type took centre stage on Ibiza during August.
The island of Ibiza got the chance to show its cultural and traditional side during August when the festival of San Ciriacois (or San Ciriaco) is celebrated in Ibiza Town.
The Festival of San Ciriaco, or Saint Cyriac, is celebrated every year, with events centering on the chapel named in Saint’s honour. San Ciriaco is also used in the name of the cobbled street that leads up to the chapel, which is supposed to mark the point where the conquest of Ibiza first started. The usual date for this festival is 8th August.
After a mass in the chapel the celebrations continue outside with a procession featuring marchers wearing traditional island costume followed by concerts, theatrical performances and exhibitions. Traditional food is also available. The celebrations are organised by the Council of Eivissa and will conclude with a grand firework display.
Another traditional festival in Ibiza during August is the Fiestas de la Virgen de Agosto which takes place in the resort of Cala San Vicente around 15th August. Again traditional dancing will feature as a centrepiece of the festival with the traditional folklore dance of Ibiza, the Ball Pages, being performed by locals dressed in traditional headscarves, shawls and aprons. The dance is performed by both men and women, who form concentric circles with the men performing high leaps and kicks, whilst playing the castanets. As well as castanets, traditional flutes and drums are played to accompany the dancing.
