ARCHIVED - Bonfires, superstition and extra vigilance on Saturday in Cartagena for the night of San Juan

The arrival of summer is celebrated with cleansing flames throughout Spain

The night of San Juan (23rd June) is nearing, and with the date falling on a Saturday this year the authorities all over Spain are preparing to deal with any emergencies arising from the popular tradition of celebrating the arrival of summer with bonfires and fireworks.

In Cartagena, the emergency services are especially vigilant as there is something of a history of incidents on the night of San Juan, most of them due to unauthorized bonfires being set up and lit without sufficient safety precautions. Strictly speaking it is not permitted to light bonfires on private or public land in built-up areas without special permission, but on 23^rd June, for many people, the rule book goes out of the window and large heaps of unwanted timber, old furniture and garden cutting pile up during the weeks before the big night.

The results, of course, can be little short of disastrous, and the Town Hall of Cartagena has issued a series of recommendations to avoid harm coming to people or property. All fires, they explain, should be at least 500 metres from wooded areas, and at least 15 metres from the nearest buildings, cars, trees, street furniture and electricity and telephone cables.

Similarly, fires should not be lit on tarmac or paved surfaces, and all vegetation should be removed within a radius of 15 metres from the bonfire. A maximum height of 4 metres is recommended, and no inflammable liquid can be used to help ignite the structure. Tyres and plastics must not be burnt, and cans and sprays should not be allowed near the flames.

Finally, when the fire is out it should be doused with water and covered with earth or sand in order to ensure that it does not come back to life.

43 officers of the Policía Local in Cartagena will be on special patrol duty during the night, and they will also be checking that fireworks and firecrackers are used responsibly.

The night of San Juan

As is the case of many celebrations in Spain, fire is an indispensable element of the 23^rd June, due to the ancient belief that fire cleanses away the old and brings new beginnings.

All of the country, bonfires are lit and friends and families gather together to share a meal and see off any bad luck from the previous 12 months in style. There are many myths and practices associated with this night, which is also known as the night of the witches due to the number of quaint traditions which are employed by those seeking love, health, beauty, good luck or even an insight into what the future holds.

As this is a night of contrast, many bonfires are lit in places associated with water: often on the beach, but in non-coastal locations perhaps a rambla, riverbed or lakeside.

If you've had a rotten year, and would like a bit more luck to come your way in the coming months, write down all the bad things that have happened onto a piece of paper, throw it in the bonfire and leap over the flames.

Alternatively, write down your wishes and cast them into the water, and while you're there, wash your feet and face, then jump over the flames, and this will bring you health and beauty for the next 12 months.

There are many other little rituals which are practised on this night - leave woollen clothing outside all night and you'll be free from moths in the winter to come, or if you want to know about the weather during the next 12 months, chop an onion into 12 pieces, cover it with salt, and line up the pieces outside in a row. Assign each piece a month of the year, and in the morning you'll know the months in which to expect rain as dew will have formed on those particular pieces.

Or, for most people, just enjoy the bonfire and, if you’re at the beach, maybe a midnight swim – but please be careful with the fire!

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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