Hogueras de Alicante

[2] The celebration ultimately stems from a tradition of bonfires for Saint John's Eve that can be found in many places, among them the Mediterranean coast of Spain, especially Catalonia and the Valencian Community; in Alicante, it's the official and most important festivity in the city.

Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southward again.

Parties are often organized at open areas, such as beaches, where bonfires are lit and a set of firework displays usually take place.

On the Spanish Mediterranean coast, especially in Catalonia and the Valencian Community, special foods such as coca de Sant Joan are also served on this occasion.

In Alicante, since 1928, the bonfires of Saint John were developed into elaborate constructions inspired by the Fallas of Valencia.

Jose María Py, the founder of the festival, felt that Alicante needed an important fiesta, and came up with an idea to combine bonfires with an older Valencian tradition known as the "fallas".

In May, there is the Beauty of the Fire Contest (Festival d’elecció de la Bellea del Foc), which is the most important event outside the festive period, followed by the Beauty of the Fire Proclamation (Proclamació de la Bellea del Foc).

The barracas and the racós are places in the street with tables, chairs, a bar, an orchestra and a dance floor.

These activities are open to the general public and the participation of the district's residents is very important and, sometimes, they are the main group.

There are three types of traditional clothes: Novia Alicantina (Alicantinian Bride): the costume that Beauties and Honour Ladies wear.

A Bonfire is not only an artistic creation, it is a critique of the societal, political and economic situation of the world in general and the city of Alicante especially.

This vanguard continued throughout the history of the event (except 70's, when Valencian style was adopted), and today Bonfires are different still.

The most important artists throughout the Bonfire's history are Gastón Castelló, Ramón Marco, Remigio Soler, Ángel Martín, Pedro Soriano, José Muñoz and Paco Juan.

Other successful districts are Ciudad de Asís, Carolinas Altas, Mercado Central, Alfonso el Sabio and Hernán Cortés.