*Ø* Blogmanac | June 20-28 | Hogueras de San Juan: the bonfires of St John, Alicante, Spain
In Alicante, Spain, bonfires involving truly artistic monuments, with figures satirising local people, are set up at this time and burned in a ceremony known as the crema.
Today's activities began in 1928 with their origins dating back centuries and even millennia to pagan pre-Christian times, as is the case with Solstice bonfire events all over the world. The festivities begin with the pregón (proclamation), following which huge satirical monuments of papier mâché and wood are set up all over the city tonight (plantà). On the night of June 24 (St John’s Day), known in Alicante as the Nit del Foc, following a huge palmera (a firework display that can be seen all over the city) at St Barbara Castle, the monuments are fuel for the cremà. Alicante hosts something like 200 bonfires and burning monuments, which are also customarily used to dispose of old furniture.
Several cavalcades parade through the city, including the Cabalgata del Foc, representing the cult of fire in different periods; the Coso Infantil, in which costumed children take part; the multicoloured Cos with a ‘flower battle’, serpents and confetti. The inhabitants of the city have a parade of bands as well as a folklore demonstration, in which the different regions of the province are represented.
All over the city are parades, processions, bullfights, musical performances, and sports events, as well as a firework competition and various religious rites, outstanding among which is the floral offering to Mary, the Virgin del Remedio, Patroness – and Mayoress – of the city of Alicante.
Juas, in grotesque caricature of this or that public person, are large cloth figures filled with sawdust, paper and similar materials. These are set alight at the climax of the festival at midnight on June 23.
Alicante’s San Juan festival continues until June 29, overlapping with the Feast of San Pedro, featuring colourful processions, fantastic fireworks and revelling in the popular barracas, makeshift fiesta houses in which locals and visitors are all welcome to join in the celebrations.
Pip Wilson's articles are available for your publication, on application. Further details
Bonfire links (British emphasis)
Also with a UK flavour: Bonfire Society Webring
In Alicante, Spain, bonfires involving truly artistic monuments, with figures satirising local people, are set up at this time and burned in a ceremony known as the crema.
Today's activities began in 1928 with their origins dating back centuries and even millennia to pagan pre-Christian times, as is the case with Solstice bonfire events all over the world. The festivities begin with the pregón (proclamation), following which huge satirical monuments of papier mâché and wood are set up all over the city tonight (plantà). On the night of June 24 (St John’s Day), known in Alicante as the Nit del Foc, following a huge palmera (a firework display that can be seen all over the city) at St Barbara Castle, the monuments are fuel for the cremà. Alicante hosts something like 200 bonfires and burning monuments, which are also customarily used to dispose of old furniture.
Several cavalcades parade through the city, including the Cabalgata del Foc, representing the cult of fire in different periods; the Coso Infantil, in which costumed children take part; the multicoloured Cos with a ‘flower battle’, serpents and confetti. The inhabitants of the city have a parade of bands as well as a folklore demonstration, in which the different regions of the province are represented.
All over the city are parades, processions, bullfights, musical performances, and sports events, as well as a firework competition and various religious rites, outstanding among which is the floral offering to Mary, the Virgin del Remedio, Patroness – and Mayoress – of the city of Alicante.
Juas, in grotesque caricature of this or that public person, are large cloth figures filled with sawdust, paper and similar materials. These are set alight at the climax of the festival at midnight on June 23.
Alicante’s San Juan festival continues until June 29, overlapping with the Feast of San Pedro, featuring colourful processions, fantastic fireworks and revelling in the popular barracas, makeshift fiesta houses in which locals and visitors are all welcome to join in the celebrations.
Pip Wilson's articles are available for your publication, on application. Further details
Bonfire links (British emphasis)
Also with a UK flavour: Bonfire Society Webring
Pip Wilson posted item above at 3:45 PM | Permalink
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