A date engraved in stone:
June 21st, the summer solstice and
June 23rd,the night of the
bonfires of San Juan welcome the new season. The shortest night of the year is also the most magical one thanks to the cracking of the fires that are lit in many places in
Navarre. Some people jump over the flames to 'purify' themselves, while in other old objects are burnt to purge bad memories.
We can say without fear of contradiction that the belief (certainty for some) of extraordinary curing powers has not been lost in
Navarre, especially for the skin. In this sense the spring and
the cave of San Juan Xar in Igantzi are perhaps the most emblematic places.
In
Auritz-Burguete the young people dedicate the
dance of Tríbuli to the authorities, according to the tradition; in
Lesaka there are parades and a
chistorrada (spicy sausage tasting); in
Leitza the
Ingurutxo is danced and a communal dinner held; in
Urdiain, the night before San Juan a spell has been cast since time immemorial to prevent evil spirits from ruining the crops; in
Tudela the best-known dance is the
paloteado (with sticks), while in
Cintrúenigo they burn an effigy of
Chapalangarra. The heat and the light have arrived, and it's time to celebrate them!