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The bonfires lit all over Alicante (as well as in Torrevieja and Guardamar) on the night of the longest day of the year are the apotheosis of the most important celebration in the city. The San Juan festivals, also called the Hogueras or the Summer festivals, have a curious history. The festivities that have completely captivated life in Alicante for almost a whole week are in fact a mixture of two traditions. Until 1928, it was in step with activities held around the world during the Summer Solstice.
This worldwide custom means that evil spirits roam free the moment the sun turns south again. The bonfires are needed to quell this. The way that is done is simple. Jump over the fire for prosperity and dive into the water to wash away sin.
This element of the traditional festivities has been honored in the Hogueras. Thanks to foresight, it was decided in 1928 to integrate aspects of the highly successful Fallas burnings in Valencia with the age-old traditions rooted in superstition. In addition, all kinds of new elements were devised to give the parties even more body and appearance. It turned out to be a golden opportunity.
In its current form, the Hogueras is an all-encompassing festival, which inevitably leads to its climax with several daily street parades: the crema, the burning of the great artistic puppets. But it all starts days before with the setting up of large tents where the residents of the different neighborhoods come together for a long drinking session with a lot of singing, dancing and music. Then every day there is a parade around a special theme, such as the parade of the artistic puppets, the street musicians, the offering of flowers and the ladies and girls who take part in the numerous beauty contests.
The life-size dolls, and their burning, are the most important image of the Hogueras for many outsiders. It must be remembered that there are clear differences with the dolls that are made for the Fallas in Valencia. In Alicante more futuristic, art deco-like looking dolls are made and the satire is more focused on local politicians and more subtle than in Valencia.
As in Valencia, the most popular creation is annually saved from the conflagration in Alicante. These winning dolls are on display in a special Hogueras museum in the city. There you can learn a lot more about the history of Alicante's most important festival through models, traditional clothing and audio visual presentations.
