THE TRADITION OF THE REVETLLA OF SANT JOAN
On the night of the 23rd June, Catalan villages and cities celebrate the "revetlla" of Saint Joan, who we know as Saint John the Baptist, and welcome the arrival of the summer.
The 23rd of June is the summer solstice, when the sun is at the highest point it ever reaches in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and is wrapped in magic, symbols and legends. Saint Joan is a night of discovery.
In the celebrations of Saint Joan, the "Astre Rei", the king of the stars, is venerated as a symbol of fertility and richness, while lighting bonfires is an attempt to purify the soul, and replace the strength that it is losing.
Bonfires, fireworks, food, songs, sayings, dance, remedies; everything involved in the celebration of Saint Joan, is part of the transformation, where what is present in our everyday lives take on a new meaning.
La Revetla de Sant Joan - Noche De San Juan, is also celebrated in other parts of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in other countries located on the northern hemisphere.
Each city and country has its own traditional way to venerate Astro Rei and celebrate the summer solstice. To mention few examples, in Valencia they celebrate "The Fogueres de Sant Joan", in Galicia the Fogueiras o Cacharelas de San Xoan, in Asturias the Fogueras San Xuan. In Portugal, they celebrate the Fogueiras de Sao Joao.
Thanks to Sandra Martinetto and The Catalan Institute of America, now "La Revetlla de Sant Joan" is also celebrated in New York City.
COME! LIVE this special celebration with us.
