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CANARY ISLANDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 090
NOCHE DE SAN JUAN
Photo: Ayto. Arona ©Daniel L. Cetrulo
Wild parties, myths and romance ever. The Noche de San Juan is not only a night of romance, but also of purification. That’s why it is said that bathing in the Atlantic at midnight washes away illnesses, worries and hardships and can allow something new and liberating to begin. Some write down everything they want to let go of and burn it in the big summer bonfire. Sometimes wishes for the coming months or for a loved one are
bathing pleasure, as from now on the Atlantic will calm down and warm up. On the day after San Juan, in Puerto de La Cruz, goat herds are traditionally driven from the Orotava Valley to the harbour
very different ways. The fireworks that seem to emerge from the sea in the bay of La Caleta de Interian in Garachico are particularly noteworthy. Big parties are celebrated at: Playa de las Teresitas, in the tourist
People join the image of San Juan in the sea A megaparty on Los Cristianos beach with a great atmosphere
Summer begins on June 21 and on June 23 this is celebrated all over Spain with a big festival, on the evening before Saint John’s Day, the Noche de San Juan. This year the big day falls on a Saturday, so nothing should stand in the way of an exuberant party. The proximity of most areas to the sea means that the majority of parties are held on the beaches with
The burning hachitos
music, fireworks and burning torches or piles of wood. If a couple jumps over the flames together, it’s said that the love between them will burn for-
sent off in a banana leaf boat on a long journey across the ocean. For many, the Noche de San Juan is the beginning of summer and also of beach-
early in the morning. In the bath they get there, the water is supposed to clean them of parasites, heal wounds and provide for plentiful and healthy offspring. It’s a spectacle which fills the whole morning. There will be events on all the Islands and they take place in
areas in the south of the island, in Candelaria and in Puerto de La Cruz. In Icod de los Vinos there is another special custom, the hachitas - decorated crosses are set alight and carried from the mountains to the beach there and in San Juan de La Rambla their procession
is heralded and accompanied by the sound of the blowing of the Bucio - the conch shell which was used by the island’s aboriginal forefathers for communication, celebrations and religious services. Celebrations are also held in Gran Canaria at Playa de las Canteras and at Playa de Melenara. In La Gomera, the capital San Sebastián has already organised a colourful programme for the whole day of the evening before San Juan with events for youngsters starting early in the morning and the big bonfire will be lit at around 9pm. Since most details will only become known shortly before the big night, there will be regular updates on the Island Connections Facebook page. You could also simply ask at your local council about the celebrations in your area. This festival should not be missed, it’s a magnificent party for islanders and visitors alike, on what is normally a balmy summer night. n