Saturday, June 13, 2009

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San Juan: a special night

En esta noche mágica de mitos y leyendas se celebra la llegada del solsticio de verano

La noche de San Juan, el 23 de junio, es la más corta del año en el hemisferio norte y desde la medianoche se encienden multitud de hogueras para eliminar cualquier mal durante un año. Esta popular celebración coincide con el solsticio de verano, una de las fechas más importantes para muchos pueblos desde tiempos remotos. El solsticio de verano es, junto con el de invierno, uno de los momentos del año en los que es máxima la distancia desde el Sol al ecuador de la Tierra. Las hogueras que durante horas permanecen encendidas van a ofrecer su luz a la oscuridad de la noche.

The festival of San Juan is of pagan origin and from the beginning, the peoples of Europe and lit fires in their fields during the previous night. Over time this feast was Christianized. Today, many people taking advantage of the shortest night of the year to celebrate the heat of summer with rituals and customs very different.

The fires, the main element

The main element of the night of San Juan is the fire. The smallest of the house is devoted to collecting fuel wood and old furniture in the days before, with the grand illusion of a fire in what will be a magical night and unforgettable for them. Eventually, enough to collect all the wood pile, set it on fire and expect to be the largest stake of all. Having gained the maximum height is trying to reduce its size to start bouncing. Only in Valencia bonfires require a specific structure, so as to prepare satirical puppets on a topical issue.

The custom of lighting fires appear to come from ancient pagan cults. Legend has it that the ashes of the fire, prevent epidemics and cure skin diseases. To have a good year also said it was necessary to jump the bonfire at least three times.

Large worldwide celebration

Night of San Juan is celebrated not only in Spain, held parties across Europe to mark the arrival of summer. Also in South America in countries such as Brazil and Venezuela, although some of them do not coincide with the summer solstice but with the winter. From the Peninsula were moving some rites and customs of this holiday is now observed worldwide.

San Juan is one of the most celebrated saints in Europe and during that day, millions of people with that name in different languages, John, Joan, Jean, John, etc. celebrate their name day. San Juan is celebrated throughout Spain, but in some places special significance:

- In Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, huge logs are made of fire down from the top of the mountain on the night of San Juan.

- In San Pedro Manrique, Soria, occurs the passage of fire, where the bravest barefoot across hot coals from the fire. They say the secret is in step with much force to stop the burning.

- The bonfires of Sant Joan in Alicante, are artistically made of wood and cardboard in the form of dolls, or ninots, satirizing the bad habits of the people. Placed on the streets three days earlier and burned during the cream.

- in Ciutadella, Menorca, Sant Joan is a very special because the conclusion has a certain medieval atmosphere which is paraded to the sound of popular music on horseback. The popular drink during the holidays on the island is the ointment, a mixture of gin and lemonade.

- In Catalonia celebrates La nit de Sant Joan dramatically, with huge bonfires all over the streets of towns and villages and the sandy beaches. Many people take advantage of the warm summer temperatures to take a night swim in the moonlight. The bonfires are often accompanied by festivals in almost all places, where groups of friends gather to sing, dance and laughing under garlands of lantern. During this night launch fireworks and enjoy eating the famous coca and candied pine nuts.

In other parts of Spain also celebrates this festival that usually lasts until dawn, sipping a delicious chocolate with churros or batons.

VIA - consumer.es