Canigou is visible clearly from the terrace this morning, (although not this clear, this shot was taken much closer to the mountain) and it made me remember something about an old tradition on this mountain, sacred to Catalans, at this time of year.
In fact this tradition happens in two days time on the night of St. John’s Eve, June 23rd, but I am quite sure it stretched back to a pre-Christian Mid-Summer ritual.
A large bonfire is lit on Canigou on this night and from this flame brands are carried down the mountain to light thousands of other bonfires throughout Catalonia.
I wonder if any of the flames will be visible from my terrace 150 klms away?
Comments
Brena
on June 22, 2010When my parents were young in the 30’s and 40’s they would light bonfires on St Johns eve and drive the stock (cattle) through the smoke. Also they would get smoke across any vegetable crops.
This would have been on the Beara peninsula. Did you not do that in the sunny south east?
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