Barcelona St John’s
There are lots of cultural events in Barcelona that make it a city well worth visiting. If you like to party hard, however, the Festival of Saint John is for you. It takes place on the night of June 23 every year and is when the city really comes to life. So, make sure you plan your trip at this time to really discover the city
The festival represents a celebration of the summer solstice. It also goes by the name “verbenas”, which is the Spanish word for open air festivals. The festival may have a very Spanish feel but this doesn’t stop thousands of foreigners enjoying themselves. You’ll find the city is chalk full of tourists during the celebrations, who come together with the locals. It is just as well that the next day – Saint John’s day – is a public holiday and can be used for recovery
The summer solstice is one of the most important of the year’s events and celebrations in its honour date back hundreds of years. It is tradition for fire to be raised during the festival, which represents abundance, purity and fertility. These traditions are kept alive today through firework shows and bonfires. These go on all throughout the city at this time of year.
Indeed, fire is one of the strongest traditions of the festivals. Like the Olympic Flame, the flame that lights the fires in Catalonia during “verbenas” is taken around different villages. Tourists are invited to take part in the ritual of burning something. This, it is said, will help you to rid your sins and cure bad luck.
Couples will also be invited to do a spot of fire jumping. This, legend has it, will mean a long and happy life for both of you. All you have to do is leap over a fire with your loved one in hand – seven times! This may seem like asking for trouble, but the locals swear by it
Water is another important element of the festival, one that holds a very special meaning. Just like baptisms of Saint John, on this night in particular water will cleanse your sins. This has led to the belief that a swim will lead to lifelong happiness. So, don’t be surprised if you seen hundreds of students take to Barcelona’s beaches at midnight to go for a dip.
And, apparently, you can’t really celebrate the Festival of Saint John without seeing the sun come up. This happens at around 6.15am at this time of year and is a great excuse for partying all night.
You can expect the festival to revolve around the bonfires and firework shows we have already mentioned. As the night is all about ‘out with the old, in with the new’ old furniture is also used to build the fires. You’ll also hear lots of people gasp in amazement as the biggest fireworks go off at the end of the night.
It is within the barrios that you will be able to experience the real party. Dancing in the town squares, street parties, music and entertainment are all on the cards, and always to the bang of the ‘petardos’. Petardos are firecrackers, which you can buy from about ten days from the festival at little huts that spring up around the city.
Food is another important element of the festival, which gives you the chance to try something new. Among the dishes regularly served is the Catalonian Coca dessert – long bread filled with treats. Everyone makes an effort during the festival, and this includes the food that is served.
If you are planning to come to Barcelona, during the Festival of Saint John is the perfect time to do so. Lots of tourists might choose other Spanish destinations to enjoy their summer holidays. However, with beaches, lots of strong traditions and one of the year’s biggest Spain’s events, this city is the only place you should consider, also because it is quite easy to find a fully furnished holiday apartments Barcelona.