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Les Feux de la Saint-Jean & La Trobada du Canigou
La Trobada
A lovely tradition to celebrate the Summer Solstice of St Jean around the 22nd June is the meeting of Catalans from both sides of the Pyrénées on the summit of the Canigou. Troops of walkers and representatives of villages and towns throughout Catalonia, meet up on the Plateau des Cortalets, where they set up tents and prepare for a sleepless night! The ultimate goal of the Trobada is to get up to the peak at 2,784m high, with bunches of wood to contribute to the huge bonfire prepared on the summit. This gathering is known as the "Trobada" (a catalan word meaning "meeting" or "reunion").
Les feux de la Saint Jean
At midnight a flaming torch, kept throughout the year at the Castillet in Perpignan, is carried to the top of the mountain the and used to light a bonfire which can be seen all over the Conflent. The next day, relay runners carry the "flamme du Canigou" down onto the plain to all the villages they pass through on the way to Perpignan and in the evening, these flames light the "Focs de la Sant Joan" or "Feux de la Saint Jean", fires that have been prepared in towns and villages all over the region. With the arrival of the torch, and the lighting of the fires, the festivities begin. In Perpignan for example, this consists of music and dancing, fireworks and laser display, a giant screen in front of the Castillet showing the procession of the flame and its presentation by runners, the traditional ceremony of the sharing of the bread (le partage du pain) with shepherds from the Canigou, son et lumière.......... but there is some kind of celebration in all the towns and villages around the region.
It is a night for celebration and an important symbol of the unity of the Catalan culture
More info:
Tourist Office
place Armand-Lanoux
66000 PERPIGNAN
Tél. 04 68 66 30 30
Fax 04 68 66 30 26
www.little-france.com
A selection of events throughout the region
(Check with your local tourist office for a more detailed programe on events where you live or are staying.)
Typical yearly events not yet confirmed for 2009
Canet
21h30 - Place Saint Jacques - Music and dancing with THE BEST OF THE BEST
22h15 - place cassanyes - Arrival of the flame and dégustation (tasting)
Banyuls-sur-Mer
FETE DE LA SAINT JEAN with parades and arrival of the flame. Bonfire and music on the beach.
22H : Sardanes sur la place Paul Reig avec la Cobla Perpinya.
Port Vendres
17h30 - Place de l’Obélisque - arrival of the flame and sardane with Els Casenoves
Fireworks, music and dancing
Argelès
Fête des Feux de la Sant Joan.
Total Festum : fête et feux de la Saint-Jean
Llevant de taula
Music with cobla Les Casenoves
and Boutifanfare.
10h 30 - 13h village centre
Tots Junts
Apéritif and catalan meal with entertainment by Louis Gorce (place Gambetta)
and the trio Compas Latino (avenue de la Libération).
12 euros.
Reservations : La petite pause, la cabane du pêcheur,
le Café de la Fontaine, Aqui Sem Be, Pizza Phone.
18h30 - 21h
Veillée catalane at 20h15
Arrival of the Saint Jean torch and concert by child choir Poly’Songs
21h - sardane
Place Gambetta
Foc de Sant Joan
22h - Arrival of the flame with parade accompanied by the Gegants d’Argeles, les Cantaïres, le Foment de la Sardane and singers
Place Gambetta
From 22h30 - place Gambetta - Arrival of the flame amidst Correfoc, fireworks and ’bal’ with music from Louis Gorce.
Prats de Mollo
20h30 - Place le Foiral MAÏNADE DE PRATS (folk group)
21h30 - Place le Foiral ELS MARINERS DEL CANIGO (music group presenting « Cantada d’habaneras »
(catalans songs)
21h00 - Big bonfire in the square
Maureillas-las-Illas
Music and fireworks at Prats de la Farga
Villeneuve de la Raho
Fireworks and ’bal’ on lakeside.
Casteil
The whole village is invited to meet up in friendship at 19h: apéritif followed by lighting of the fire. Sardanes, bbq.....
.......and many, many more events all over the Pyrenees-Orientales
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