San Blas Day in Spain

The Feast of San Blas is celebrated in Ateca, a municipality in the community of Calatayud, located in the province of Zaragoza in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain and of which there is written news since the year 1460. Although, as it is known today, its origin dates back to the 15th century, it is believed that the origin of the festival dates back to the Paleochristian or even Visigothic period.

The festival takes place on February 2 and 3 in honor of San Blas and has, as an original ingredient, the presence of "the Mask". This is the most unique element of the festival, a semi-grotesque character dressed in a red and yellow striped costume in the style of the jesters. He takes to the streets armed with a saber and a small round shield or corbetera, with the intention of chasing the boys while they insult him by trying to tear the bells off his dress, which is torn to shreds at the end of the party. To the adults, he simply puts the corbetera on their heads as a blessing.