We have returned to Villanueva after two years to verify the carrying out of the party of Pero Palo. Unfortunately, we were the only Europeans present because the other associations have not retained opportune to witness. This year have gone Elvino Gasparotti and Irmgard Haub, responsible of the section in Florence of the Committee, that have prepared a detailed report, documenting with photo and tapes what has happened. Here is their report.

What has happened

We have arrived the 6 p.m. to Madrigal de la Vera, we have effected a first inspection at Villanueva where, despite the late time, were present many people with the typical dress of the carnival of the place.

The day after (February 19 2007), we have tried several times to contact the sig. Giacinto, but without success, (his wife has answered us), that was always available to welcome the representations of the associations animalists, but unfortunately, this year the welcome has been a little bit different.

We had also gone, for a second time, to his home finding only his wife that didn't know when her husband returned; she has expressed her contrariety to the “Fiesta”, reassuring us on the good fate of the donkey (in Spanish Burrito).

In the evening, we have met the president of the Spanish association “Refugio del burrito”, Ivan Salvia, extremely pleased of our presence.

We have talked for a long time with Ivan and he has told us what had happened in the dramatic edition 2006: the “jockey”, drunk, had bitten more times the ear of the donkey, that for eight times it has fallen down for the cram of the people that incited it to race on a street, slippery by the rain, and stunned by the sound of the cowbells that many people shook next to his ears.

The day of the fiesta

The next day (February 20 2007), at the 8.00 am, we have gone again to the house of Mr. Giacinto, but this time it has been his son to tell us that he was not at home.

At the 8.30 am, we have met Ivan in the plaza of the Commune, already crowded by people, and decided to divide us to observe better the “Fiesta.”

So, while I stayed in the plaza of the Commune, Ivan and Irmgard have gone to the place where arrived the protagonist, the donkey, but there happened the first unforeseen event: the van with the donkey arrived after thirty minutes of delay.

The van arrived and we see leaving the donkey and Mr. Giacinto: Ivan and Irmgard go to him to ask the motive for the delay; the answer is simple: the “burrito” (that is the same as three years ago and property of a neighbouring Commune), didn't want to climb on the van (this is the confirmation that the donkeys are not stupid… editor’s note).

Irmgard has tried to ask to Mr. Giacinto to be near the donkey, but he has immediately responded to be a simple municipal employee and that therefore he didn't have any responsibility and that the request must be made to the Mayor because it is the direct responsible.

The fiesta begins

At 10.30 am, the donkey comes in the plaza of the town hall, dragged by a long hawser pulled by a lot of people. After a brief standstill, arrives the “jockey”, a plump man and totally drunk, that climbs on the “burrito” without saddle. The “Fiesta” begins that involves many inhabitants that sing choirs accompanied from the din and from the smoke of the shotguns under the total absence of police.

The course is always the same, through the impervious little streets of the centre bathed by an annoying rain. Despite the “warm” welcome reserved to the animalists, we have been able to film the “fiesta” and to take many photos.

This year, luckily, there was only one performer of cowbells that was held rather distant from the ears of the donkey.

The donkey was totally surrounded by the people that repeatedly touched it (this is against the law approved three years before); the drunk jockey swung for all the time on the donkey.

Serious accidents have not occurred, but the noise has been terrific, hits of rifles, choirs, cowbells, howls, sirens; the state of stress of the donkey was evident that, sighted a small street of exit, he has tried to escape from a party on which he had not asked to participate.

Few instants, but they have been enough to create some worry of people near the donkey.

The “race”, departed late, it is concluded, after few more than one hour, in the plaza of the town hall.

Also for this year it is finished!

There is to record a nice episode, that also explains the state of stress of the donkey: finished the “competition”, the rejoicing crowd leaves at the donkey a little bit more of space and the street is free; at this point the donkey, with a sudden leap, has begun to run, shaking of the back the annoying and useless “jockey”.

Ivan has filmed this amusing episode and as soon as possible he will send us a copy of the tape. He also stopped the run of the donkey.

We have tried to talk with the Mayor for several times, before and after the "fiesta", but without success.

The following day (February 21), we have returned to Villanueva to try once again to speak with the Mayor and with Mr., Giacinto, but they were in "vacations", probably to digest the works of the “Fiesta of the Pero Palo.” 

This absence, after that two years ago the same Mayor had boldly invited to witness, is the demonstration that our presence arouses some kind of fear and this however encourages us not to give up.

A future of hope

Ivan Salvia,  president of the Refugio del Burrito, thanking us for our presence of support writes: to change the mentality of the people, to educate, it is an objective that asks a continued effort so that it gives fruits.

The campaign of information and protest for the violence that the donkey has to suffer, has also reached even some inhabitants of Villanueva, and so, it is begun a debate between them, that invites to reflection (let's remember the contrariety of the wife of Giacinto, editor’s note).

It is important to continue to inform, to debate, to deduce so that the changes – necessary for the donkey – will really arrive because it will be the same inhabitants to pretend them from the organizers and supporters of the party.

With the final objective – we add – to pass from “the party ends when the “donkey is ended”,  to “the party with the donkey is ended!”