How the Night of Saint John is Celebrated in Spain and in Italy

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Author: Erika Basso

The Night of Saint John, or Noche de San Juan, is a popular festival that is celebrated in Spain, especially on the night between 23 and 24 June, and coincides with the summer solstice, the shortest day of the year.

It is a festival linked to the fire, with bonfires on the beach and purification rites, as well as celebrations that include music, dances and food.

In some cities such as Alicante, the feast of the night of San Juan, also known as the festival of San Juan, is celebrated between the night of June 24, the day of San Juan and the dawn of the 25th. The bonfires of Alicante are among the most famous in Spain.

The crown jewel of the rituals for the night of San Juan. Lighting fires and jumping on it is one of the most important things to do on San Juan night. This will give luck and protection throughout the year.

Valencia, Alicante and Galicia are three of the places where San Juan celebrations are most famous.

What do you do on St John’s Night?

- Bonfire: The main tradition is to light bonfires on the beach, symbols of purification and renewal, to give strength to the sun that, from this date, begins to lose its strength.

- Rites: They jump over bonfires and bathe in water, often up to their knees, wishing for the future.

- Dinner and party: You eat and celebrate on the beach with friends and family, often with traditional foods such as coques (sweet or savory cakes).

- Fireworks display: In some cities, such as Alicante, great fireworks are held.

Where is it celebrated?

The Night of Saint John is celebrated throughout Spain, with particular emphasis in some cities:

Valencia (Famous for its bonfires and beach parties), Alicante (Known for the Hogueras de San Juan, elaborate papier-mâché constructions that are burned during bonfires), Barcelona (Where the festival is known as Revetlla de Sant Joan, with bonfires and celebrations along the coast) Malaga ( Where thousands of people gather on the beaches to celebrate the shortest night of the year).

The tradition of "Nit de Foc"

Literally "Night of the Fire", in the evening all Catalunya lights up with bonfires. From north to south, from the Pyrenees to the coast, events are organized in almost every corner of the region where flames and fireworks are the protagonists.

The most suggestive event is in the north of Catalunya, in the Pyrenees just on the border with France: here "El viatge de la llum del Canigó" is staged.

The Canigó is the sacred mount of the Catalans: an ancient tradition tells of a perennially burning flame that had the task of driving out evil spirits. Since the mid-twentieth century, on June 23 of each year a huge fire is lit at the top of the mountain.

Dozens of volunteers take turns to keep the flame alive and then "bring" it to hundreds of Catalan municipalities to celebrate Sant Joan. And this flame also reaches Barcelona.

How is Saint John celebrated in Italy?

On the night between 23 and 24 June, most Italians perform a popular ritual dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the summer solstice.

the origin of this rite has its roots in the peasant peoples, who believed that the night of Saint John was charged with vital and magical energies, linked to the light of the moon and the sun . Dew was seen as an elixir capable of strengthening the body, skin and spirit.

Why do you prepare the water of Saint John?

On the evening of 23 June, herbs and flowers are harvested without damaging the plant, fill a glass or ceramic bowl, add fresh water and ingredients. It is left outdoors, under the sky, so that the dew charges the water with energy.

On the morning of June 24, you wash the face and hands, and if you wish you bless sacred places or objects, it is considered a gesture of purification, protection and return to yourself.

Although absolutely without scientific validation, it remains a ritual full of great emotional and social value for those who practice it in the countryside.

Conclusion

This type of celebration in Spain and in Italy is an opportunity to gather with friends and family, celebrate the arrival of summer and leave behind the negative energies, looking forward with optimism to the future.