What is the best way to celebrate the beginning of summer?! Just three words: BONFIRES, BEACH AND MAGICAL RITUALS. These are the ingredients of the night of San Juan.
The summer season begins early here in Valência: we are lucky and we start to enjoy warm temperatures from April/May but as in many cities and towns in Spain, we dedicate to welcoming summer season a proper celebration in June, more exactly the 23rd of June (Saint John’s eve). It coincides with the summer solstice and it is the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
THE ORIGINS
O celebration of the night of San Juan has roots in ancient pagan rituals related to the worship of the sun as it is the summer solstice. The purpose of this ceremony was to give strength to the sun awaiting to the return of longer days. Bonfires (hogueras in spanish and fogueras in valencian language) were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely in this particular night of the year, traditionally fire has a symbolic function of purify.
This popular festival is celebrated all around the world such as in Portugal (the biggest one is in Oporto with the Festa de São João), in South America (in Brazil, Festa Junina) and in Spain. Bonfires are particularly popular in the Catalan region and in the Valencian Community especially in Valencia and Alicante.
For its ancestral origin, the night of San Juan is charged by a magical atmosphere and it is characterized by some rituals to do in order to purify yourself and why not, to have a little bit of luck. It’s not necessary to be superstitious to do these rituals because is just a different way to welcoming summer with friends or family and of course to have fun like in any self-respecting celebration here in Spain! Don’t worry we guarantee that you don’t have to remember difficult magic spells or drink strange potions. It’s Valencia, not Hogwarts!
THE RITUALS
O rituals of San Juan are based around the nature elements of fire (the bonfires) and water (the sea). Don’t forget to do them at midnight in order to free yourself from bad energy and to receive a touch of luck to fully enjoy the valencian summer.
- jump 7 times over the bonfire.
- jump 7 waves with your back to the sea and make a wish.
It’s easy, isn’t it?
In the midnight you can also enjoy a spectacular fireworks display: yes we like fireworks a lot! :)
BONFIRES, GREAT!
But where can you find the wood to lit them? We are well prepared of course! Every year the Valencia City Hall provides wood in order to make and enjoy with your group your own bonfire.
As regards the public transport service, during the night of San Juan it is active all night long in order to be able to go to and from the beaches.
We suggest to start to organize and prepare everything from the afternoon, the beaches are going to be very crowded. Usually everyone brings something to eat and drink. If you have the occasion try the typical food of this event: la coca de San Juan, it’s a sweet with almonds and pine nuts.
It will be impressive and not ordinary to see bonfires for all the beaches of Malvarrosa, Las Arenas e Patacona. So now you are ready to enjoy the night of San Juan and to welcoming the summer in a very special way with bonfires, a touch of magic and the sea by night. And after all the magical rituals we are sure you will spend a great and a lucky summer time.
