THE BATTLE OF MOORS AND CHRISTIANS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACT 

On 2nd August, the Mare de Déu dels Àngels Day is the day of Pollença’s Patroness Saint, the major festival of the municipality.

Since 1970 the celebrations start with the opening speech, which is read in Saint Domingo’s Cloister. Among the civic acts the traditional “Alborada” (a musical piece that is played from 5.00 am through the streets) stands out, created by Nicolás de Castro and first performed in 1882.

The Cossiers Dance has become one of the most outstanding acts in the festival since 1981moment in which they were recovered after 71 years of its disappearance and were incorporated to this festival, although before they were danced in Saint Peter day.
 
The Moors and Christians mock battle has become through the years the most important and characteristic act of the Patroness festival. Basically, it is the commemoration of the locals’ victory (Christians) over Dragut’s corsairs (moors), who on the night and early morning from the 30th to the 31st May 1550 attacked the town of Pollença. The first evidence of the mock battle is from 1860, although it could have started some years before.
 
The action happens in the Almoina square – also known as the ‘Font del Gall’ (peacock fountain) -, with the meeting of the leaders from both sides, Juan Mas on Pollença’s side and Dragut and his lieutenant –a renegade from Pollença- on the moors side. At 7 o’clock in the afternoon and after Joan Mas imploring the Mare de Déu dels Àngels, an impressive impact between the two combatant groups, which gives a great originality to the show, is produced. Little by little the corsairs move back following the High Street, and, when arriving to Can Nogués, the men from the Old Council come out with the royal mayor in charge and join the battle. In front of Saint Jordi’s church (at the end of the High Street) there is another important impact with the incorporation of the Christians’ cannons to commemorate the freeing of the captives made by the corsairs and kept in this church. The show finishes in the football field of Can Escarrinxo, on the road from Pollença to the Port. Then, after three mock battles, the Christians get the corsair’s flag and go straight to the Parish Church to sing a Tedéum as a thanks giving action for the victory, which has always been the one composed by Reverend Miquel Tortell. In the Church the Christians also sing “Puig Patrona”, a poem from Costa i Llobera, a well known local poet.   
 
We should point out that from 1988 the main posts of the Show are elected by popular voting on a set date in the first weeks of July.