In the mid-seventies, on Saint Peter’s Day (June 29), the Colla de Ball Pagès de Sant Carles de Peralta was founded in Sant Carles de Peralta, under the direction of Maria d’en Roques, with the sole interest of preserving our roots and customs through dance, attire, music, and song. It was one of the first Colles founded in Ibiza, and other villages invited them to perform at their festivals.
On September 8, 1997, the Association “Sa Colla de Ball Pagès de Sant Carles de Peralta” was established with the aim of promoting artistic and cultural expressions related to folklore, and fostering and defending the customs and traditions of Ibiza. For several years now, “Sa Colla de Ball Pagès de Sant Carles de Peralta” has been a member of the Federation of Colles of Ibiza and Formentera.
Currently, the Colla consists of approximately 35 members, but many more have been part of it during its more than 30 years of existence. The number of dancers, musicians, etc., is continuously increasing, as we are always willing to teach everything we know and offer all the advice that Maria d’en Roques gave to some of us, to anyone who is interested.
Throughout each year, it performs, among others, the following folkloric performances at various festivals:
• Celebration of “Sant Antoni” (January 17). Unless Sant Antoni’s Day falls on a Sunday, it will be celebrated on the first Sunday after Sant Antoni’s Day in the Church Square of Sant Carles de Peralta.
• Celebration of “Sant Pere” (June 29). The festival is celebrated at “Sa Font de Peralta” in Sant Carles. In years when Sant Pere’s Day does not fall on a Sunday, the festival will be celebrated on the first Sunday after Sant Pere.
• Celebration of “Sant Cristòfol” (July 10), Es Canar festivals. Es Canar’s patron saint festivals are always celebrated on Sant Cristòfol’s Day itself.
• Celebration of “Sant Ciriac” (August 8). The festival is celebrated at Pou d’es Lleò
• Tourist Day. It is usually celebrated in mid-September with the Colla de Ball Pagès de Sant Carles dancing in the tourist area of Es Canar.
• Celebration of “All Saints’ Day” (November 1). An homage is paid to residents over eighty years old from the village of Sant Carles on November 1 in the Church Square of Sant Carles de Peralta.
• Celebration of “Sant Carles’ Day” (November 4). On November 4, in the Church Square of Sant Carles de Peralta, with its patron saint festivals.
Furthermore, whenever possible, we collaborate in all kinds of folkloric festivals, such as dances at wells, xacotades, weddings, etc.
“SA COLLA DE BALL PAGÈS DE SANT CARLES DE PERALTA” has always been interested in projecting the culture of the Islands to other regions and has consequently undertaken several trips. On each trip, it has conveyed information about the roots, customs, and folklore of the Islands. For this purpose, among other things, typical Ibizan souvenirs have been taken, along with foods (sofrit pagès, arròs de matances, frita de matances, paella, etc.), typical desserts (oreietes, bunyols, graixonera, flaons, etc.), liqueurs (Ibizan herbs), etc. Moreover, not only have the roots of our culture been explained, but also the folklore, language, dance, attire, and instruments.
Throughout these years, it has been able to undertake various cultural exchanges, such as:
• October 1988, trip to San Joan and Sa Coma (Palma de Mallorca).
• February 1996, trip to Ferreries (Menorca).
• October 2000, trip to Manresa (Barcelona).
• March 2001, trip to Blanca (Murcia).
• June 2001, trip to Gomezserracín (Segovia).
• May 2002, trip to Cambados (Galicia).
• April 2003, trip to Camariñas (Galicia).
• November 2003, trip to Aller (Asturias).
• April 2006, trip to the Island of Föhr (Germany).
• May 2006, trip to Castalla (Alicante).
• August 2007, trip to Villanueva de Alcardete (Toledo).
• September 2007, trip to Tavernes de Valdigna (Valencia).
• April 2009, trip to Onil (Alicante).
• October 2010 (Pilar long weekend), trip to Castrello Cambados (Galicia)
