“Las Hogueras,” what is that?
“Las Hogueras” means “Feux de joie” in French, which translates to “bonfires.” In Valencian, it is called “Fogueres.”
When is it?
The festivities begin on June 20 and end on June 24, coinciding with the arrival of the summer solstice.
Where is it celebrated?
Las Hogueras are celebrated in many Spanish cities, but the most spectacular event takes place in Alicante! From June 20 to 24, the city transforms into a temporary museum. Papier-mâché monuments appear all over the streets. These temporary statues are burned on the night of June 24-25, an event called “La Crema.”
But where does it come from?
Cities in Spain, especially on the Mediterranean coast, celebrate the arrival of the summer solstice with purifying bonfires. Originally, it was an agricultural festival where farmers celebrated the longest day of the year before the harvest, and the shortest night where they burned their worries and setbacks (often old furniture). However, the authorities did not look favorably upon these primitive bonfires. In 1822, the mayor of Alicante declared: “that no bonfires should be lit in the streets, and certainly no fireworks, under penalty of a fine of 20 to 100 reales.” Despite these prohibitions, the population continued the tradition year after year. In 1881, the ban on bonfires was not published by the municipality (this might have been a mistake), allowing the residents to enjoy without fear of reprisals. The population gathered en masse in the streets, ushering in the “Festes de Carrer” (street parties).
The first “Ninots,” large, colorful figures, then appeared. In 1928, the association “Alicante Atraccion” was founded, aimed at promoting tourism in the city. They organized “Las primeras Hogueras de San Juan” as we know them today. The idea to attract tourists was accepted by the municipality, and the success was immense! According to the newspaper El Dia in 1928: “The Fogueres were a historic event for Alicante, more than 100,000 people attended the crema.” In 1929, the “Barraques” were created, festive and meeting places in different neighborhoods of the city. Here you can rent a table for the week to enjoy the festivities with family or friends. Since 1932, elections for “La Bellesa del Foc” (the queen of Las Hogueras) have been organized. In 2014, “Les Fogueres de Sant Joan” were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage (BIC) by the Generalitat Valenciana.
What are the Ninots?
Starting June 20, you will see large, colorful statues made of cardboard, wood, or cork on every street corner in Alicante. These are the stars of the festival, the ninots! These artworks, in human form, satirically depict people or scenes from political, economic, or social life. The ninots are made from flammable materials and can be up to 20 meters high. They are created by artists specializing in temporary art. There are two types: the larger ones for adults and the smaller, often more colorful and rounder ones for children.
Mark your calendar
- Night of June 19-20: La Plantà, Las Hogueras are placed in the streets of Alicante.
- June 20-21: the jury evaluates Las Hogueras.
- June 21-22: Ofrenda de Flores a la Virgen del Remedio, the patron saint of Alicante, at the Cathedral of San Nicolas.
- June 22: the prizes are awarded (there are 6 categories, depending on production costs).
- June 23: El desfile Internacional de Las Hogueras.
- Midnight, night of June 24: La Palmera. 1000 rockets are launched from the Castle of Santa Barbara, forming a palm tree, officially announcing the start of La Crema. Then, the 88 hogueras in the city are ignited one by one, under the supervision of the fire department who is there to extinguish the fires and soak the crowd, La Banya, to the delight of young and old.
- June 18-24: Las Mascletas (fireworks) Plaza Luceros at 2:00 PM
- June 25-29 at midnight: fireworks competition on Postiguet beach. And more In recent years, thousands of people have flocked to the beaches on the night of June 23-24 to light bonfires on the sand. The tradition is to write down your worries of the year on paper and burn them in the bonfires. Then, you jump seven times over the smoldering remains before diving into the sea. And for those who want to extend the festivities, visit the Museo de Hogueras de Alicante. Here you can see collections of the ninots saved from the fire by popular vote. Let the festivities begin.
