Es Firó Festival of Sóller
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very year the beautiful and tranquil mountain town of Sóller explodes into a thunderous mock battle to celebrate the dramatic events of 11th May 1561, when the people of the town defended themselves against a ferocious invasion of Moorish pirates. Five days of festivities culminates in a wild and noisy re-enactment with costumes, musket fire, pirate ships and red smoke as the battle rages from Port Sóller up to the town. Es Firó is the biggest date in Sóller’s calendar, and the whole town comes out to celebrate an event that symbolises tradition, community and passion.
The Battle
The date is 11th May 1561 and in Sóller whispers of a much-feared Moorish pirate attack are quickly spreading around town. News from the neighbouring island of Ibiza is that a large armada of 22 galleons of Moorish pirates is making its way towards the port, ready to storm the town, plunder the homes and capture its residents as slaves. The town’s captain, Joan Angelats, has begun calling for reinforcements from the nearby towns of Bunyola and Alaró, and is preparing his men to defend at all costs. What ensued in Sóller on that day has become legendary. Counting on the element of surprise 1,700 Moors landed on the beach and split into two invading parties – one circling around to attack the town, while the other found itself face-to-face with Captain Angelats and his 500 men. As the battle raged, panicked news came from the town that they were under attack. The captains made the decision to continue their counter-attack on the beach party, ultimately sending them fleeing for their ships. They then turned their weapons on the town attackers. Lying in wait for the pirates to return to their ships laden down with stolen goods and slaves, Captain Angelats and his men pounced on the pirates, who abandoned their loot and ran for ????????????????????????????????????????????5????????????????????????????M???????()?????????????????????????????????????????????%??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Q????????????????????Q????????????????????????????????????????????????5??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????+?e??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Q???M??????A???????????????????????????????????????????M??? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????M??????????M?????1?????????M?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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