This weekend, Villajoyosa’s Ermita neighbourhood becomes a celebration of animals, community and centuries-old customs. Join in the fun as the town hosts the popular animal festivities in honour of Saint Anthony.
One of the standout moments will take place on Sunday 18 January with the traditional parade of Els Rotllets de Sant Antoni. During the parade, an impressive 30,000 rotllets will be handed out to the public.
Rotllets are small traditional ring-shaped breads, usually anise-flavoured and lightly sweet, that are baked especially for the festival.
They are not pastries in the modern sense, but humble, festive breads made with simple ingredients like flour, oil, sugar, aniseed and yeast. Their circular shape symbolises continuity, protection and good fortune. This is why they are closely linked to Sant Antoni Abad, the patron saint of animals.
Villajoyosa’s animal festivities
The festivities begin on Saturday 17 January at 08:30 with a lively despertà led by the Colla Els Valerios. At 11:00, neighbours and visitors can enjoy a popular communal breakfast at the Comissió de Festes bar. This is followed at 12:00 by children’s games.
At 13:00, the spotlight turns to gastronomy with the Bollets a la teua manera competition. Participants can sign up at the Tendeta de Bartolo and bring their homemade bollet. Music during the competition will be provided by the bandeta El Timbal Trencat.
Dedicated to animals
The afternoon focuses entirely on animals and their wellbeing. From 15:00 to 20:00, the Animal Welfare Fair will fill the area with activities for all ages.
The programme begins at 15:00 with a falconry display and an exhibition by the hunting and shooting club. At 17:00, the Local Police canine unit will take centre stage with a live demonstration. Later, at 18:00, experts will lead a practical pet first aid workshop for owners and animal lovers.
At 17:00, the parish priest of San Antonio Abad will bless all the animals attending the fair. At the same time, the Grup de Danses Centener and Colla Els Valerios will perform traditional dances.
Live music continues at 18:00 with a performance by the group Persimon. The day then finishes on a high-energy note, as DJ Morrison takes over the decks at 21:00.
Sunday and the famous rotllets
Sunday 18 January begins once again at 08:30 with a despertà, this time accompanied by xirimita and tabalet. At 11:00, the parish church will host a mass in honour of Sant Antoni Abad, followed at 12:00 by a solemn procession through the streets of the Ermita neighbourhood.
At 13:00, dozens of carts and floats will parade through the area, while neighbours hand out close to 3,000 rotllets to spectators. Those wishing to take part can also register at the Tendeta de Bartolo.
The councillor for Fiestas, Jaime Santamaría, highlighted that “the Sant Antoni celebrations in the Ermita neighbourhood are among the most popular in Villajoyosa and preserve one of the town’s oldest traditions.”
