SANT JOAN 2018
The festival of Sant Joan celebrates the beginning of summer. It is the longest day of the year and what is known as the Midmost Summer Solstice. It is one of the most important festivals for Catalans and is celebrated throughout the city. The idea is that on the night of Sant Joan the sun reaches its highest point, before starting to fall. The sun is seen as a symbol of fertility and wealth and therefore must have strength. The strength is provided by the bonfires and fireworks lit all over the city for Sant Joan.
It is said that there are three symbols of Sant Joan: fire, water and herbs. Fire symbolizes purity, and for this reason the fires are lit. Water symbolizes healing. Therefore, tonight, in some areas people bathe in the sea. The herbs symbolize the remedy and some affirm that for the night of Sant Joan their healing qualities are enhanced a hundred times. These are often chosen in the night of Sant Joan.
Many of these rituals are dark and you may not experience them during your visit to Barcelona. However, the element that you cannot stop missing is fire.
Start date of the celebrations : June 23rd
