New Year & a Beach Party rolled into one.
June is upon us and it is always a month when we feel an energy shift in Spain.It is the winding down of the school calendar and the excitement and buzz of summer is around the corner. The streets are busier with tourists, the children are finishing school in just 2 weeks for their LONG holiday and duvets are off the beds.
June Celebration
There is one holiday in Spain that I have always enjoyed and it is the celebration of all of these things. It feels like a super charged New Years Eve, and is the epitome of Spanish life, a giant party held with friends, family and community to welcome in the summer season.
In Malaga San Juan falls on the 23rd June each year in celebration of the summer solstice which still remains a magical night in much of the northern hemisphere, and in Spain we celebrate it in style.
The summer solstice was a pagan festivity of olden days; when Pagans lit a bonfire to burn “the past” and welcome new opportunities and change and San Juan remains just that with many traditions central to the festivity.
It is about night and day; fire and water.
The fire purifies and water recuperates, refreshes, and rejuvenates and it is these rituals that will take place over the evening.
The religious aspect of the festival aren’t at the forefront now but many of the the rituals rule the night at San Juan.
Traditions
THE FIRE:The beaches are ablaze during the evening with most towns holding one large event and the burning of an infamous effigy of the year, often a politician, Guy Fawkes would be proud! These effigies are often incredible works of art, often it feels a shame to burn them.
According to tradition, if people jump over a bonfire three times on San Juan’s night, they will be cleansed and purified, and their problems burned away and according to legend, it cleanses the body and the soul.
THE WATER:
After midnight, people wash their faces and feet three times to be granted three wishes and for a happy twelve months thereafter. Bathing on this night in the sea is also said to be beneficial for skin complaints. Jumping in the sea at midnight is supposed to be a way to wash away evil spirits.
Each town has their own celebration, and it is awe inspiring to visit the larger towns to see hundreds and even thousands of people wandering into the water after midnight with the haze of bonfires everywhere. It is a special night and to see the sun go down on the 23rd during a party, and to sit with friends on the beach to watch the sun come up the next morning, very special memories are made.
Each Town will have different celebrations
Estepona will have their main celebration on Playa Rada, with a stage for concerts and the effigiy to be burned. The main beach in Sabinillas will take on the joint celebration with La Duquesa.Looking to buy or sell a property ?
TRUST KIWII
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