Spain is a land of festivities and merrymaking; with its rich culture and traditions, one never gets tired of this vibrant country. Among its many festivals that take place throughout the year, a major one is the Fiesta de San Juan or simply San Juan, which is celebrated with great vigour and joy in Spain, especially in Catalonia, with more prominence in Barcelona and Alicante. Let's look at the history and significance of this festival and how it is celebrated among the locals.
San Juan is celebrated every year on the 23rd of June, which also coincides with the summer solstice. The links of this festival of fire go all the way back to pagan belief, but is also linked to the birth of Saint John, San Juan in Spanish. In Catalonia, the festival marks the beginning of summer and the summer holidays in the state. The festival of San Juan is described by the Catalans as the "Nit de Foc", meaning the "Night of Fire". If you are in Catalonia, and particularly in Barcelona, on the night of the fiesta, you will not miss seeing bonfires lit and grand fireworks all over the city with a loud celebration and people feasting all night long.
In fact, the San Juan is not only a night of festivities, the days leading up to it are mostly a week before there are fireworks displays in all Catalan towns and cities, where displays of fireworks can be seen in the streets. Families also organize their own mini-festivals called "reveltes" or street parties. The best scene to attend the San Juan fiesta is at the beach, where people organize their own picnic starting at the early evening and where they spend all night partying around bonfires and watching the fireworks.
If we talk about the origins of this festival, then there are certain arguments that it predates Christianity, but the Church has assimilated the festival into the Christian calendar and framework of events. Speaking of the ancient pagan beliefs associated with this festival involves the belief that the summer solstice is auspicious and the expansion of the days. Tradition has it that the festival is linked to three elements: fire, water and herbs. Fire was supposed to burn all evils, water to wash away all impurities and herbs represented the power of nature to give us remedies for all ailments. Today you will see bonfires and fireworks, which represent the long-standing tradition of referring to fire as a powerful source of energy. You will also see people bathing in the sea at night, as a symbolic act of ancient customs.
Street parties are organized all around the streets of the towns and cities where people have community dinners called "Sopar Popular" sitting around a bonfire with lots of cava which is a Spanish champagne and the emblematic dish of San Juan called coca de San Juan which is a kind of sweet bread with candied fruit toppings. San Juan is an important festival in Spain and the locals celebrate it with great enthusiasm, which is symbolic of Spanish culture at large.
People go into the sea at midnight and jump over 7 waves which are believed to bring good luck. Usually old furniture and stored wood are burned during bonfires and the whole festival symbolizes the unity of the community and long-standing traditions and culture.
18
10
10
