Day of deception
A fun and festive day full of jokes and mischief in Menorca.
The day of deception, called Dia d’encear in Menorca is a holiday in many countries every first of April. “Poisson d’Avril” in France, “Pesce d’Aprile” in Italy and “April Fools” in the United Kingdom.
Dia d'enganar 2026 in Menorca
Calendar ofCalendar of April, 2026
April’s fool
Watch out! During this day, nothing is as it seems, on this day the pranksters go out to play, with small facts they can ruin your hopes and dreams, like in a Hollywood movie. Don’t believe anything you read, or anything you see, or you’ll fall for their jokes. It’s the worst day to be on the internet, they use their cunning with the aim of getting your beloved angry screams. These idiots perform well-disguised deceptions and the best thing you can do is leave your phone and computer aside, you can rest until at least April 3rd, to be away from their stupid little plans. Don’t take them to the extreme because you can become a meme for a day, don’t give your word to anyone and avoid them at all costs.
Menorca Festivals
Origin in Menorca
The tradition of Menorca originated during the time when the island was under British rule, a period that spanned 70 years, from 1708 to 1802.
In Galicia, the festivity is celebrated on April 1 and refers to the popular saying “o primeiro de abril, van os burros onde non deben ir“, which alludes to the mischief that was done in rural areas, such as changing the tools and carts of the neighbors.
Other regions of Spain and some states in Latin America also have a similar tradition that is celebrated on December 28, known as the Day of the Holy Innocents. This holiday combines pagan rites with the biblical story of the massacre perpetrated by King Herod.
When did April Fools really start?
In the sixteenth century, throughout France, New Year’s festivities were celebrated from March 25 to April 1. However, in 1564, by Roussillon’s decree, King Charles IX decreed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, and the New Year was moved to January 1. Many French people are said to have opposed the change or simply forgot about it, and continued to exchange gifts and celebrate during the week ending April 1. The pranksters decided to ridicule them by offering absurd gifts and inviting them to parties that did not exist, and thus the tradition of making jokes on April 1 was born.
The name “Poisson d’Avril” (April fish), which is given to the victim of pranks, is related to the zodiac: any event that occurs on that date is related to the fact that the Sun leaves the constellation of Pisces. Even Napoleon I was called an “April fish” when he married Marie Louise of Austria on April 1.
The tradition later spread to Italy with the same name (in Italian “Pesce d’Aprile“). Later, it spread even further, reaching the United States about two hundred years later through the English, who called it “April Fool’s Day“. The Germans have their “Aprilscherz“, the Brazilians their “day gives lie” on that same date, and the Scots call the victim of the jokes “gowk” (cuckoo).