Explosive San Juan Festival: Barcelona's magical night
It sucks to sit at home and die quietly for the fourth day in a row. I want optimism, bright colors and good memories. This is what I'll do:
June 24, 2005, Spain. On this day, all peoples celebrate the day of the summer solstice, while calling it in their own way. In Spain, this is San Juan, St. Ivan in our opinion :) This holiday is one of the most important and revered in the country. They prepare for it in advance - they arrange feasts in the squares of all cities and towns, they bring out a lot of treats, wine flows like water.
Huge, 3-5 meter figures line up from straw and wood, which are symbolically burned at midnight. Children do not sleep that night (just like ours on New Year's Eve), they have the most important mission - first to collect everything that burns in bonfires, and then, with the onset of night, set it all on fire, blow it up ... And adults in these children's "fiery "Business does not interfere, not even near the children, and it must be said, we have not seen a single accident when playing with fire. It's nice that their children are taught independence in such an important matter.
While the children are busy on the beach, adults (all families of the family, several dozen people) gather in cafes or on benches by the sea, bring pies specially baked for this day (huge, half a meter, decorated with many fruits) and wine. The feasting and fellowship will last all night!
A stage was set up near our hotel in the afternoon, tables were set up, everything was decorated with flags. In the evening, a concert began here, which lasted all night. At one in the morning, children from 3 to 14 years old performed, they prepared an almost hour-long performance based on Disney's "The Little Mermaid" with dances and songs. And they did great!
Lights burned throughout the evening town, multi-colored flags fluttered, joyful cries of passers-by were heard, closer to midnight they began to blow up rockets, set off firecrackers, set fire to piles of boxes on the shore (someone even brought an old boat for this). It is customary among the Spaniards that for the holiday there should not be as much light from the lights as possible, but to be louder, so that the noise is unimaginable, apparently this is how they drive away evil spirits :) And now it all began to explode ... We returned home along the path along the sea - there was a feeling that we were being fired on from all sides - continuous squeals, whistles of firecrackers, rocket explosions, a flash on the right, a flash on the left, fireworks suddenly crumble overhead in a fountain, endless volleys of salutes can be seen in the distance, children and adults are dancing on a bonfire-lit beach with begal lights in hand. It was wonderful!
We got to the room, took out bottles of wine that had been saved up during the day, sat down on the balcony at a table - and began to look at the holiday from the height of the third floor. We lived on the first line of the sea, in the very center of the town, so we were at the very epicenter of the feast. All the trees around were glowing, decorated with light bulbs, below the Italian grandparents were dancing en masse their well-known dance to the Spanish guitar. From time to time, a rocket fired from below took off in front of us, exploded, illuminating everything around for a second, and melted in the darkness. Early that night no one would be able to fall asleep :)
It was about two in the morning when a message came to the phone that someone was inviting me to Ladoga. At first I found out who it was, then immediately agreed, without finding out the circumstances of the trip. Joyfully told her sister: "I'm going to Seliger!" - Yes?, - she said, - "There, it seems, it was about Ladoga." Yes, wine and lack of sleep did their job - I mixed up two lakes. Just think, what's the difference - Ladoga, Seliger ... Well, a little further to go ... I'll go anyway! I don't even know why I agreed so straight away. I just felt that I needed to go there! Along the way, I explained to Polinka that I was not in Russia now, that my father would give her a passport (for buying train tickets), that it was still possible that I would not be released from work after my vacation. But I really wanted to try myself, still - an aikido training camp, training 3 times a day, sun, pine trees, far from civilization. Besides, it's better to go together than a Polka alone, it's more reliable.
Well, what came out of this whole adventurous adventure, maybe I’ll post it next time.
At the end of June, without exaggeration, everyone is waiting for the most magical and most magical night of the year. This happens on the night of June 23rd to 24th - the shortest night of the summer is coming, that is, Spain celebrates one of its most beloved holidays - Saint Juan's Day. The same holiday, only under the name of Ivan Kupala (and San Juan in Spanish), was also once celebrated in Rus' in a fun and big way.
We inherited this holiday from the ancestors of the pagans, and therefore the main characters of the holiday are fire and water. Both of these elements were not just the object of worship of pagan beliefs - they had a great cleansing power. So jumping over bonfires, and in the Spanish case - over a giant burning pine tree, is not just a cheerful recklessness of tipsy participants in the holiday, this is an ancient cleansing ritual: jumped over the flame - all the sins in it burned out.
The cleansing ritual continues by the water. On this night, you must definitely plunge into the sea, river or lake. It is believed that water at this time acquires magical powers. And yet, according to giving, the verbena plant becomes healing, which is able to heal in Night of San Juan everyone who touches her. The magic power of vervain is believed so strongly on this night that the holiday is often called Verbena San Juan.
By the way, at the beginning of the 19th century, when the holiday came from the villages to the cities, the city authorities issued a decree that strictly forbade burning fires on the streets and forbade blowing up firecrackers, and violators were threatened with heavy fines. And what is the result? And nothing, because no order of officials can ban a national holiday. But, in fairness, it must be said that the most serious security measures are taken on the night of fires - fire engines and ambulances are in full combat readiness literally in every lane.
The roar of firecrackers, fireworks, the crackle of blazing fires, thundering brass bands, dancing in the streets, the cheerful excitement of thousands of people around and at the same time the complete absence of drunken aggression. What an amazing atmosphere of a true holiday this creates. It's so cool that it causes involuntary envy - how people know how to have fun.
Another magical property of this night is the night of love. And after all the cleansing rituals, the lovers go to the fields, to the beaches (anywhere) and there, under the starry sky, they make love until the morning.
June in Catalan means sun, beach, drive, emotions and… San Juan. After all, it is this month that the Catalans forget about religiosity and have fun from the heart, inventing new ways to please themselves and their guests with enchanting shows. Returning to pagan roots, the people of Spain celebrate the summer solstice. The shortest summer night turns into the most unforgettable. As a rule, the proximity of the holiday can be felt by the huge queues in shops with pyrotechnics. It is then that the feeling of the holiday makes you succumb to the general revival and buy yourself a couple of fireworks.
Europeans also believe in the cleansing power of fire, so they do not consider it shameful to jump over a fire, believe in the power of fireworks and, in general, forget about religious traditions. In Spain, San Juan is the beginning of summer. Six months after this fascinating holiday, the most magical day in the life of Catholic Spain will take place - Christmas. Six months, according to the inhabitants of Europe, should be spent on putting thoughts and feelings in order.
What's Happening at San Juan in Barcelona
The event, which takes place on the night of June 23-24, ends with a day off, so you get to have fun from the heart and glory! It is San Juan that is famous for its abundance of joy, loud music, alcohol and unbridled celebration that unites families with children, crazy tourists and respectable couples. If you didn't manage to start the bathing season, the time has come! You will definitely want to feel the freshness of the sea water and the coolness of the summer breeze. On the evening of June 23, locals gather to light bonfires, fireworks and firecrackers. And at midnight they swim in the sea.
In fairness, it should be noted that not everyone is happy with unbridled fun, a considerable part of the townspeople prefer to spend this weekend away from the noise of the city, filled with the smell of exploding firecrackers, alcohol, and crowds.
For those who like to have fun, San Juan will prepare many very pleasant surprises. The Catalans love, celebrating, to please themselves and their guests with culinary delights. The decoration of the holiday is a very appetizing dessert - Coca de San Joan - this is a very tasty rectangular pastry, you can find this piece of happiness ready-made in a store or bakery. The treat is baked from pastry, for those who are on a diet, the presence of fruit in syrup on it will be little consolation. Locals say that trying cookies decorated with marzipan and custard or pine nuts will please any guest of the holiday. Cava, drunk on occasion, will only make pleasant moments even better!
San Juan to Berga
Another tip from the locals is that unforgettable emotions are guaranteed if you manage to see the holiday in the small Catalan town of Berga, which is located in the mountains near Andorra, 80 km from Barcelona. After all, here you can extend the euphoria for three whole days. The town boasts a whole history of La Patum - this is how they call this action there, it was recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, because the traditions of the holiday have been kept for 600 years. You won't find anything similar anywhere in the world. You will see real Catalan passions here, try traditional drinks, go dancing, be sure to find yourself in smoke from a huge number of exploding fireworks, it is advised to wear clothes so that it would not be a pity to throw them away!
June 23, 2013, 21:35June 20-23 is known to be the summer solstice and the shortest night of the year. The roots of the Feast of St. Juan, akin to the Night of Ivan Kupala, go back to pagan times, and the celebration itself personifies the victory of light over darkness.
Like the Slavic Ivan Kupala, the Spanish fiesta dates back to pre-Christian times and is associated with the summer solstice - the shortest night of the year. In our hemisphere, it falls on June 20, 21 or 22 in different years. With the adoption of Christianity, the ritual part of the holiday was timed to coincide with the birthday of John the Baptist (Spanish: San Juan) and “moved” to June 24th. So there is no longer a strict astronomical correspondence to the solstice. The elements to which the rituals are dedicated are the sun, fire and water. But the main symbol, of course, is fire. Everywhere they burn fires and it is considered. that impure thoughts are burned there and the spirit is purified. During the celebration, people jump over bonfires to purify their thoughts with fire. In some parts of Spain, participants in the celebration walk on burning coals or ride horses through crowded streets.
Thousands of bonfires are lit along the Riazor coast in La Coruna, northern Spain, during the celebration of the night of Saint Juan.
A rider on a horse in the crowd in the center of Ciutadella, on the Spanish island of Minorca, during the celebration of Saint Juan's Day.
Preparing the embers to be walked on in San Pedro Manrique, Soria province in northern Spain.
A man jumps over a bonfire on the coast of Malvarrosa in Valencia.
A party carrying a girl on his back walks over embers on Saint Juan night in San Pedro Manrique, Soria province in northern Spain.
Celebration in the city of Ciutadella, on the Spanish island of Minorca.
People gathered around a campfire in the southern Spanish city of Malaga.
Pictured are the famous espetos de sardinas (fire-roasted sardines).
People celebrate around a fire on the coast in Valencia.
A boy jumps over a fire on the coast of Zurriola in San Se6astian.
A party walks over burning coals in San Pedro Manrique, Soria province, northern Spain.
Usually on the night of St. Juan, it is customary to burn all sorts of unnecessary things in the fire, which is what this woman does on the coast of Malaga, southern Spain.
Bonfires on the coast of Zurriola in San Se6astian.
In Tenerife, the center of the celebration of the night of St. Juan traditionally becomes the Playa Jardin beach in the city of Puerto de la Cruz: places on the sand here must be occupied since the evening. At midnight, thousands of people will rush into the ocean, because only today the water has magical powers and will protect against ailments and misfortunes for the whole next year. And the lights on the shore are designed to drive away all evil spirits, which are especially dangerous and active on this night.
A couple looks at a burning fire near the Spanish city of Malaga.
The Spaniards are very sensitive to the celebration of St. Juan's Night (Spanish: La Noche de San Juan) - they collect verbena, clover and valerian, believing that the herbs picked on this magical night have miraculous properties. Sometimes the Catalans call the Feast of Saint Juan "Verbenas" (Spanish: Verbenas de San Juan).
A week before the holiday, a cannonade begins on the streets, leading an ignorant person into amazement. By the number of pyrotechnics burned these days, fireworks and firecrackers launched, the holiday resembles the New Year holidays in Russia.
A man sleeps on Valencia's Malvarossa beach amid the rubbish left from the celebration.
Saint Juan's Night is almost the most important summer holiday for the people of Barcelona. The city is filled with lights, incendiary Spanish songs with a guitar, flamenco dances, music and fireworks.
According to ancient belief, it is necessary to light a fire on this night, because in this way a person is cleansed of his failures. On this occasion, there is even a saying in Catalonia that says: “Qui encen foc per San Joan es crema en tot l`any” (“Who does not light a fire in San Juan does not “light” the whole year”).
And they “light up” in Catalonia to the fullest! Fortunately, the next day is an official holiday, so the Catalans walk all night long, with families, children, parents and friends, drawing tourists and visitors into the fun whirlpool of the holiday.
In Barcelona, as in other coastal Spanish cities, bonfires are made right on the seashore. According to tradition, a torch must be lowered from the mountain called Flama del Canigo (Flame of Canigo), from which all the fires of this night will then be lit. Cheerful crowd, screams, fireworks, music, night swimming in the sea - a fiesta, in which some plunge headlong, and from which others try to escape away from the city.
On this night, the sardana is necessarily performed in the squares - a traditional Catalan dance of joy and brotherhood, in which anyone can take part. The beauty and mesmerizing mystic action lasts all night, which does not prevent its participants from consuming large quantities of wine and coca pies, which are considered a guarantee of health and happiness.
Tours to Spain for the festival of Saint Juan
Spain is rich in traditions and holidays and many tourists buy tours to Spain. to see them in person. Saint Juan's Day is considered one of the most popular holidays among the local population. In recent years, this holiday has been made more ambitious and a festival has been organized on its basis.
The festival of Saint Juan is held every year from June 20th to 24th and attracts a huge number of tourists, both from Spain and from abroad. These days, the streets are filled with masquerades, songs and dances, and fireworks constantly rumble at night.
Light a fire (it is believed that the fire will burn all the bad things). The distribution of firewood, they say, is arranged by the municipality, free of charge. You can jump over the fire (especially for those who are younger), you can run around and dance around ...
You can cook food on it...
Pictured are the famous espetos de sardinas (fire-roasted sardines). It is recommended to eat at any time of the year.
At midnight you can start swimming in the sea.
June 20-23 is known to be the summer solstice and the shortest night of the year. The roots of the Feast of St. Juan, akin to the Night of Ivan Kupala, go back to pagan times, and the celebration itself personifies the victory of light over darkness. The elements to which the rituals are dedicated are the sun, fire and water. But the main symbol, of course, is fire.
The Spaniards are very sensitive to the celebration of the Night of St. Juan (Spanish: La Noche de San Juan) - they make fires and collect verbena, clover and valerian, believing that the herbs plucked on this magical night have miraculous properties. Sometimes the Catalans call the Feast of St. Juan Verbenas” (Spanish: Verbenas de San Juan).
A week before the holiday, a cannonade begins on the streets, leading an ignorant person into amazement. By the number of pyrotechnics burned these days, fireworks and firecrackers launched, the holiday resembles the New Year holidays in Russia.
Saint Juan's Night is almost the most important summer holiday for the people of Barcelona. The city is filled with lights, incendiary Spanish songs with a guitar, flamenco dances, music and fireworks. According to ancient belief, it is necessary to light a fire on this night, because in this way a person is cleansed of his failures. On this occasion, there is even a saying in Catalonia that says: “Qui encen foc per San Joan es crema en tot l`any” (“Who does not light a fire in San Juan does not “light” the whole year”). And they “light up” in Catalonia to the fullest! Fortunately, the next day is an official holiday, so the Catalans walk the day of St. Juan in Spain all night long, with families, children, parents and friends, drawing tourists and visitors into the fun whirlpool of the holiday. In Barcelona, as in other coastal Spanish cities, bonfires are made right on the seashore. According to tradition, a torch must be lowered from the mountain called Flama del Canigo (Flame of Canigo), from which all the fires of this night will then be lit. Cheerful crowd, screams, fireworks, music, night swimming in the sea - a fiesta, in which some plunge headlong, and from which others try to escape away from the city.
And, of course, this holiday is not complete without a traditional pie - Coca de San Juan (Spanish: Coca de San Juan) in a dessert version. Moreover, in length it must certainly be exactly twice as large as in width. Of course, this fun is always accompanied by the joyful drinking of the main drink of this night - the Catalan champagne Cava.
To visit Spain these days means to surrender, as the Spaniards are excellent at doing, to a fabulous extravaganza with all my heart!