Fiestas
Bonfires are at the centre of the event, with wishes, bathing at midnight and dancing until dawn
Jun 23, 2015 - 2:04 PM
The origin of the night of San Juan – the shortest night of the year
Bonfires are at the centre of the event, with wishes, bathing at midnight and dancing until dawn
Jun 23, 2015 - 2:04 PM
Spain celebrates today despite being a catholic country as its origins are pagan who worshiped the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.
The flames from the bonfire are designed to reach the sun, to give more strength when at its weakest.
In Spain there are dozens of perfect place to welcome the summer solstice as will be witnessed tonight as bonfires illuminate stretches of beaches around the coastline.
Outside Spain, an excellent place to visit is Oporto. The city which lies at the delta of the Duero River is full of parties and music and the smell of sardines everywhere. Before the celebration people gather on the terraces of the restaurants in the city, hold family celebrations, where the menu is always sardines, salad and peppers and a good glass of red wine.
When hunger is satisfied the people gather near the Bridge of Don Luis I, where the firework display is best seen. Then they set the bonfires and get out the hammers to hit other people over the head, as tradition says, but now plastic coloured hammers are used.
In Sweden ‘Midsommar’ starts the week before with a festivity of eating outdoors, any terrace park or plaza will do, with dancing and the important flowers; the women adorn their hair with crowns of flowers and dance around coloured tapes while singing their typical songs sung on today. For those with a large appetite, large numbers of pickled herrings, with new potatoes, chives and an acid cream are necessary fare.
In the United Kingdom, there is more witchery than elsewhere, Stonehenge has a special significance and the day is in important in Cornwall where chains of fire are lit on the top of hills and in Wales there are agricultural fairs and dancing, hoping the following year will bring a good harvest.
In Argentina they welcome the winter solstice but the celebrations are the same, with youngsters and children jumping over bonfires as many times as local tradition says, yams or sweet potatoes are the popular meal.
In Chile the celebration is centred round the devil, with demonic masks and acts of witchcraft, such as the potato tradition, when you leave one under your bed and later it is used as an oracle for next year.
Photo - Leo Hidago / Flickr
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The flames from the bonfire are designed to reach the sun, to give more strength when at its weakest.
In Spain there are dozens of perfect place to welcome the summer solstice as will be witnessed tonight as bonfires illuminate stretches of beaches around the coastline.
Outside Spain, an excellent place to visit is Oporto. The city which lies at the delta of the Duero River is full of parties and music and the smell of sardines everywhere. Before the celebration people gather on the terraces of the restaurants in the city, hold family celebrations, where the menu is always sardines, salad and peppers and a good glass of red wine.
When hunger is satisfied the people gather near the Bridge of Don Luis I, where the firework display is best seen. Then they set the bonfires and get out the hammers to hit other people over the head, as tradition says, but now plastic coloured hammers are used.
In Sweden ‘Midsommar’ starts the week before with a festivity of eating outdoors, any terrace park or plaza will do, with dancing and the important flowers; the women adorn their hair with crowns of flowers and dance around coloured tapes while singing their typical songs sung on today. For those with a large appetite, large numbers of pickled herrings, with new potatoes, chives and an acid cream are necessary fare.
In the United Kingdom, there is more witchery than elsewhere, Stonehenge has a special significance and the day is in important in Cornwall where chains of fire are lit on the top of hills and in Wales there are agricultural fairs and dancing, hoping the following year will bring a good harvest.
In Argentina they welcome the winter solstice but the celebrations are the same, with youngsters and children jumping over bonfires as many times as local tradition says, yams or sweet potatoes are the popular meal.
In Chile the celebration is centred round the devil, with demonic masks and acts of witchcraft, such as the potato tradition, when you leave one under your bed and later it is used as an oracle for next year.
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