Every year from June 20th- June 24th a giant festival takes place in Alicante. Since 1928, the city has been celebrating the arrival of summer solstice with music, fireworks, firecrackers, parades, bull fighting, and enormous statues.
The city sets up tents and stalls all along the major roads. Everyday at 2pm a 15-minute firecracker show takes place. It’s basically 15 minutes of insanely loud noises, smoke, and a dense crowd of people screaming.
At night the parades consist of people in costumes dancing and singing down the streets. [wpvideo sbJ0BiU5]
The statues around the city represent current events from that year, and are absolutely stunning. There were 182 this year! Can you find Miley Cyrus?
Here is this years winner:
At midnight on the last day all the statues are ceremoniously burned down one by one. The event begins with a giant firework over the Castillo de Santa Barbara at midnight.
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Afterwards giant fires! It is common for windows to blow out from the heat, and the city pays for any replacements every year. Bomberos (firemen) stand by to contain the flames. It is tradition for citizens to shout insults at the firemen, who in turn spray them down with hoses! Super fun.
And that’s that!
Last night my group took an optional dance class with our intercambios, or speaking partners. It was really fun! We did salsa and mamba for an hour and a half. Lots of sassy moves & awkward moments followed by laughter. Afterwards we got gelato and some magical cookie milkshake with like 4 types of alcohol. I split both of mine with someone! 🍪🍦😆 🍻👯
