The whole coastline was alight with bonfires last Tuesday night in observance of San Juan (St John the Baptist), a celebration that dates back to pre-Christian times and marks the arrival of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
Celebrated around the world during Midsummer the festivities were enjoyed in earnest throughout many cities and towns in Spain but nowhere more so than the Costa Blanca, up and down from the city of Alicante, which hosts the largest and most important festival in the country, and where many people head for the beach, build bonfires and party throughout the night
Fire and water are the protagonists of the night with everyone, families and their children, spending the previous days by preparing the bonfires. And then, once lit up, according to tradition, people jumped three times over the fire, after which they were cleansed and purified, their problems burned away as they embarked on a period of good luck.
Locally there were thousands of residents from Torrevieja, Guardamar and the Orihuela Costa, who all turned out in the hope that they could put their bad experiences of the last 12 months behind them. Barbecues, fridges full of drinks and the need to have fun were the common elements as people gathered to enjoy their evening out.
This is one of the most special nights for celebrating superstitious rituals, for bringing luck as well as it being an opportunity to take advantage of the tradition and to enjoy the evening on the beach in the company of family and friends.
The municipalities of Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, Catral as well as the coastline of the Orihuela Costa, held their celebrations, but only on the beaches where they were authorised to do so, the playas como la del Cura, la Mata, los Locos, los Naúgrafos and La Zenia. Fortunately the threat of rain had disappeared as the celebrations got underway, each lasting long into the night.
And to cap what had been a special night each of the councils had their ‘clean up team’s out in force to ensure that the beaches were back in perfect condition for the early morning swimmers.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/47738/
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