Festivities in Javea: Les Fogueres de San Joan

Around June 15, Les Fogueres starts. These festivals are of pagan origin, widespread among the towns and cities of the Valencian Country, and commemorate the arrival of the summer solstice. Various events are celebrated, among which are "els bous", fireworks castles, verbenas and horseback riding.

During them, the "fogueres" are planted, which are currently a monument of cardboard-stone several meters high, which shows events that have stood out throughout the year in Jávea, constituting a popular critique of them . These motives are called "ninots", and among them we can observe from the figure of a politician to the bold image of a tourist.

Traditionally, people took unusable objects (furniture, clothing, equipment ...) to the center of the square and piled them up to later set them on fire as a welcome to summer.
The night of June 23 to 24, the shortest of the year, has long been considered a magical night. During the night "els focs de Sant Joan" are lit, bonfires that, following the tradition, must be skipped by the young people, who carry wreaths on their heads. At the last fire, the floral crown should be burned and a wish made.

At the end of the holidays, the "Ninot" act that is popularly known as the "cremá" is set on fire.