Bonfires of Saint John

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Bonfires of Saint John 1

Bonfires of Saint John

The Catalan / Valenciancultural domain

Fireworks at the 2008 event

The Bonfires of Saint John (Spanish: Hogueras de San Juan, Catalan:Fogueres de Sant Joan, Galician: Noite de

San Xon) is a popular festival celebrated around Saint John's day's eve (23 June) throughout many cities and towns

in Spain; the largest one takes place in Alicante, where it is considered the most important festival in the city. Thebonfires are particularly popular in Galicia and many Catalan-speaking areas like Catalonia and the Valencian

Community, and for this reason some Catalan nationalists regard 24 June as the Catalan nation day.

For this festival, people gather together and create large bonfires from any kind of wood, such as old furniture, and

share hot chocolate while teens and children jump over the fires.

Celebration in Alicante

2008, Gran Via La Ceramica.

2008, Gran Via La Ceramica.

Origins

Before 1928, the bonfires of Saint John had been celebrated in Alicanteas it had been elsewhere in Europe: by burning old pieces of furniture

on the night of Saint John on June 24. The Bonfires festival was

originated in 1928. Jose Mara Py, the founder of the festival, felt that

Alicante needs an important fiesta, and come up with an idea to

combine bonfires with a Valencian tradition known as the "fallas". The

festival ultimately became the most important cultural event in

Alicantinian society.

Events

19 June

The Bonfires start with the 'Set Up' (la plant) when monuments,

street ninots and archways to the "barraques" are set up in the

streets. A pie of tuna (coca amb tonyina) and early figs (bacores)

are eaten at night.

1924 June

The despert occur at 08:00 - Neighbours are awakened with a great

deal of noise in all the districts of the city.

The masclet takes place at 14:00. It is a combination of fireworksand a very long string of firecrackers (bangers).
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fallashttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Festivalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_the_Baptisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Furniturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alicantehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bonfireshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2008_-_Gran_Via_La_Ceramica_2.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2008_-_Gran_Via_La_Ceramica.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catalan_nationalismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valencian_Communityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valencian_Communityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cataloniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catalan_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galicia_%28Spain%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alicantehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Midsummer%23Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galician_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catalan_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spanish_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Fuegos_artificiales_hogueras_4.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valencianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catalan_language


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2008, Florida Portazgo.



At night, from 23:00 to 06:00 there are street parties in all the

districts of the city. People dance and drink all night at the "racs"

(sing. rac) and the "barraques" (sing. barraca).

21 June

The Street Band Parade (Desfile de entrada de bandas) occurs at

19:00.

'22 June

At 11:30, the Prize Giving Parade (Desfile de entrega de premios)

takes place

At 19:00, the Flower Offering Parade to the Remedy's Virgin

(Ofrenda de flores a la Virgen del Remedio) takes place.

In the three parades, people wear the traditional garments from

Alicante, and, in the Flower Offering, women wear mantilla and they

have a bunch of flowers.

23 June

At 21:00, the International Folklore Parade (Desfile folklrico

internacional) takes place.

24 June :

At 00:00, the Palm (firework) (La Palmera), occurs. This is a

magnificent cascade of fireworks, and it is followed by the Burning

(La Crem), which is the culmination of the festival.

Before the main events, in the beginning of June, there are the Ninot

and Children's Ninot Exhibition (Exposicin del Ninot y del Ninot

infantil), the Paella Contest (Certamen de Paellas), the Tribute to PastFoguerers and Barraquers (La ofrenda a foguerers y barraquers

fallecidos), the Opening Ceremony (El Pregn), the Ninot Parade (La

Cabalgata del Ninot), and the Street Parade of Ninots competition (La

plant de los Ninots de career).

After 24 June, there is the Firework Display Competition (Concurso de

Castillos de Fuegos Artificiales) and the String of Firecrackers Display

(Concurso de tracas) in Postiguet Beach. There are also sports events

and a Medieval Street Market.

The Bonfires commissions host a number of other events during therest of the year. In autumn, there is a musical and dancing competition

known as the Artistic Competition (Concurso artstico). In December,

there is the Christmas Carol Competition (Concurso de villancicos). In

May, there is the Beauty of the Fire Contest (Festival de eleccin de la Bellea del Foc), which is the most important

event outside the festive period, followed by the Beauty of the Fire Proclamation (Proclamacin de la Bellea del

Foc). During the year, there are the Presentations of the Beauties in all the districts of Alicante.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Postiguet_Beachhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paellahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mantillahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo_2.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2008_-_Florida_Portazgo.jpg


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Castle of Santa Brbara and San Juan beach in

Alacant at the final night of the festival.

Organisation

Bonfires are organised into commissions which fundraise and host the

other events throughout the year. A member of a commission is called

a foguerer. A commission usually represents one area, a place or an

avenue in the city, but there are many areas with numerouscommissions. (For example, Carolinas has five commissions: Carolinas

Altas, Carolinas Bajas, Foguerer-Carolinas, Doctor Bergez-Carolinas

and Bola de Oro.) In Alicante there are more than 90 commissions (and

so many others for children).

A barraca is a group of friends who don't take part in all the activities,

and they raise money only to eat, drink and dance during the festival in

a place in the street called the barraca. [citation needed] The member of a

barraca is called barraquer.

The barracas and the racs are places in the street with tables, chairs, abar, an orchestra and a dance floor. They are places for people to eat,

talk, drink, dance and socializing during the festivities. The difference

between the barraca and the rac is that the rac is for the entire

district and admission is free, while entrance to the barraca is

restricted. [citation needed] The rac is made by the foguerers and the

"barraca" is made by the "barraquers".

The commissions organize and take part in several events during the

year: an artistic competition, parades, beauty contests, etc. These

activities are open to the general public and the participation of the

district's residents is very important and, sometimes, they are the main

group. In districts such as Ciudad de Ass, Florida-Portazgo, Los

ngeles and Carolinas Altas, the relationship between the commission

and the district's residents is very strong.

A very important source of financing for the festival is a lottery

administered by the commission, although there are other sources such

as tombolas, raffles, or sales.

Beauties

Beauty is the most emblematic element in the Bonfires after the monument. The Beauty is a woman who is thequeen of the festival . There are both Beauties and Infantile Beauties representing Bonfires and Infantile Bonfires

respectively.

Since a Beauty is the representative of a particular commission, there are near 90 Beauties and so many Infantile

Beauties in Alicante. A Beauty can have two or four Honour Ladies in her commission.

There are certain Honour Ladies for the whole city. The Beauty of the Fire (Bellea del Foc) is the queen of the

festival in all the city and there are also six Ladies of the Fire (Damas del Foc).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fundraisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3ACastillo_Sta_Barbara.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alacanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Castle_of_Santa_B%C3%A1rbarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo_3.jpg


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A bonfire of Saint John, 2005

Clothes

There are three types of traditional clothes:

Novia alicantina (Alicantinian Bride): the costume that Beauties and

Honour Ladies wear. It is made up of:

A band in the hair

A white and round mantilla

A small lemon blossom bunch

Two hangings

A cross with jewellery around the neck

A black, velvet, waist with long sleeves

A fan

A black apron with jewellery

A long skirt

A petticoat (enaguas) White stockings

Black heels

Labradora (farmer): the costume for the other women. It is made up of:

A band in the hair with flowers

Two hangings

A cross with a black ribbon in the neck

A white piece called "manteleta"

A waist made in colours

A white apron

A long skirt, the same of the Beauties

A petticoat (enaguas)

White stockings

Black heels

Zaragelles: the costume for the men. It is made up of:

A scarf in the head or in the neck

A cotton, white, shirt

A blanket with pockets

A long sash at the same colour that the scarf

Full white trousers called "zaragelles" White stockings
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AHogueras_de_san_juan_de_alicante.jpg


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Shoes called "espardeas"

Art: Monuments

Bonfires are an art show. In autumn, there is an artistic competition among the Bonfire Commissioners. In the

Festival, there are Ninots (wooden figures) in the street. This is an old tradition that was revived in 2008. Every year

there is an Official Festival Poster, a beautiful art demonstration. But the most important in this festival are theMonuments, who are called Bonfires (Hogueras or Fogueres). They are made of wood, cardboard, mud, paintings

and, nowadays, of cork and polyurethane too. A Bonfire is not only an artistic creation, it is a critique of the societal,

political and economical situation of the world in general and the city of Alicante especially. Critiques are made

across the "Ninot" or figure. The Ninot usually represents a famous person, often an amusing parody of a politician.

The Bonfires are not the same as the Valencian Fallas. When Bonfires originated in Alicante there were not made by

"fallero" artists, and the first Bonfires were made by local painters and sculptors. They did not imitate the Valencian

style; they were very vanguardist and they followed Art-Dco and other artistic currents. This vanguard continued

throughout the history of the event (except 70's, when Valencian style was adopted), and today Bonfires are different

still.

A Bonfire is paid for by contributions by the Bonfire Commission, together with donations from residents and shops.

The Monument Competition is the most important contest in the Bonfire events. Monuments are divided into seven

categories according to the price. There are 6 categories from 1st to 6th, and a Special Category. The latter category

consists of more expensive bonfires costing more than 60,100 euros.

The most important artists throughout the Bonfire's history are Gastn Castell, Ramn Marco, Remigio Soler,

ngel Martn, Pedro Soriano, Jos Muoz and Paco Juan. The most successful district is Benala, with 18 victories.

Other successful districts are Ciudad de Ass, Carolinas Altas, Mercado Central, Alfonso el Sabio and Hernn

Corts.

Bonfires are kindled on the 20th in an act called "La plant", and they are burned on the 24th in a very beautiful and

emotive act called "La crem" (the burning). The former is the beginning of the Alicantinian Festival and the lattermarks the end of the Festival.

References

External links

Bonfires of Saint John (http://www.fogueres.net/)

Official Web of the Gestor Commission (http://www.hogueras.org/)

Official Web of Alicante (http://www.alicante-ayto.es/)

Slideshow from the 2005 Hogueras Festival (http://www.gocostablanca.com/culture/fiestas-in-costa-blanca/

bonfires-of-saint-john#slideshow)
http://www.gocostablanca.com/culture/fiestas-in-costa-blanca/bonfires-of-saint-john#slideshowhttp://www.gocostablanca.com/culture/fiestas-in-costa-blanca/bonfires-of-saint-john#slideshowhttp://www.alicante-ayto.es/http://www.hogueras.org/http://www.fogueres.net/


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Article Sources and Contributors 6

Article Sources and ContributorsBonfires of Saint John Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=561270107 Contributors: Babbage, Blainster, Cerebralpayne, Chesdovi, Cnoguera, Cymru123, DexDor, Elkman,Error, Etnacila, Funandtrvl, Gaius Cornelius, Hinzel, Instinct, Iridescent, J.delanoy, Jotamar, Kelly Martin, Mgclap, MikeP, Moonraker12, Natg 19, One, PL290, PamD, Pearle, RJFJR, RichFarmbrough, S, Some thing, Star Mississippi, Terathe, Thomas Blomberg, Thuresson, Tide rolls, Valenciano, Venerock, Walter Grlitz, Welshleprechaun, Woohookitty, Xufanc, 61 anonymousedits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Fuegos artificiales hogueras 4.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Fuegos_artificiales_hogueras_4.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0Contributors: Bruno Zaragoza

File:Hogueras 2008 - Gran Via La Ceramica.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2008_-_Gran_Via_La_Ceramica.jpg License: Creative CommonsAttribution 2.0 Contributors: Fernando Pastor

File:Hogueras 2008 - Gran Via La Ceramica 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2008_-_Gran_Via_La_Ceramica_2.jpg License: Creative CommonsAttribution 2.0 Contributors: Fernando Pastor

File:Hogueras 2008 - Florida Portazgo.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2008_-_Florida_Portazgo.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0Contributors: Fernando Pastor

File:Hogueras 2009 Florida Portazgo.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0Contributors: Fernando Pastor

File:Hogueras 2009 Florida Portazgo 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo_2.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0Contributors: Fernando Pastor

File:Hogueras 2009 Florida Portazgo 3.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_2009_Florida_Portazgo_3.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Contributors: Fernando PastorFile:Castillo Sta Barbara.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Castillo_Sta_Barbara.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike Contributors: SusanaAlzamora

File:Hogueras de san juan de alicante.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hogueras_de_san_juan_de_alicante.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Gabri-co,George McFinnigan, Juiced lemon, Martorell, Zelkova

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