Las Hogueras de San Juan (Saint John's Bonfires)

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At the beginning, the bonfires of Saint John was a pagan party in which the summer solstice was celebrated. Later, the Catholic Church gave to this party a religious sense and it was named Saint John's Eve. It entails making bonfires on the beach and eating and drinking around them.

HISTORY
This party has a very ancient origin and it is related to the cycle of the nature and influenced by ancient pre-christian traditions.

WHAT HAPPENS
That night people go to the beaches and stay there all night. They make bonfires, fish or meat barbecues  and take drinks. The most important moment arrives at midnight when people have a bath in the sea and they make a wish. Then, there is a spectacular firework display. There are other traditions joined to this night like jumping over the bonfires, writing wishes in a piece of paper and burn it in the bonfire. There are people who burn personal objects to eliminate them of their lifes.