SANT JOAN: THE CITY’S ON FIRE

It’s like New Year’s Eve and a summer beach party in one: La revetlla de Sant Joan. The night of June 23^rd and 24^th, the shortest night of the year,  family and friends gather to celebrate the start of summer with music, cava, dancing and fireworks all over town.

 

“This girl is on fireeeee…”

I only heard about this holiday a couple of weeks ago. Some people told me you have to watch out with Sant Joan, because kids like to throw fireworks at you during this night. Great, I thought. Some of you might recall my lucky night with New Year’s Eve in Berlin, where my hair caught fire after someone threw a rocket in the crowd. I was so sick of fireworks after this night, that I was skeptical about the upcoming fireworks madness. I actually decided not to wear open shoes just because I was afraid I’d might lose a foot or something.

But, it wasn’t that bad after all! In fact, I was very happy when we were invited to watch the spectacle from a beautiful rooftop terrace right at Arc de Triomf. The view was a-ma-zing: you could see all over town, from the W hotel to Montjuïc, the Sagrada Familia, Torre Agbar, the Cathedral, and of course Arc de Triomf right in front of us. Now imagine this view, with fireworks all over the city, a nice temperature and a cold beer in your hand. Not to mention, all of this at a super safe distance from all the firecracker-throwing kids!

Purifying fire and healing water

Later at night, we dared to go out and head to the beach. Fireworks were still going on all night and there were bonfires spread over town. Fire during Sant Joan is said to symbolize purity: burning something during a Sant Joan fire should cleanse you from your sins (but mostly, it’s fun to see your old furniture go up in flames). Another Sant Joan symbol is water, for healing; many people decide to take a dip in the sea (but mostly, again, it’s just fun – and cold).

We walked up to Vila Olímpica to see what’s going on at the beach.  I didn’t manage to take a proper picture but imagine this: chiringuitos playing loud music, dancing, little groups of people and bonfires spread all over the beach, torches, candles, smoky air, palm trees, drunk people jumping in the sea and fireworks exploding right over de water. It wasn’t overcrowded at all, there was just a really relaxed atmosphere and lots of people having fun (and lots of guys peeing in the water…).

Party at the beach!

We didn’t manage to stay there all night, maybe next year… And all of this on a random Monday. Thank god the next day is a holiday! Now we’re just chilling at home, while kids outside are setting off their (hopefully!) last fireworks. Let the summer begin!!!