- CREMADA DE FALLES, ANDORRA -
Good day everyone!
Today I want to share with you the "Cremada de Falles". It's an ancient party that is celebrated in Andorra, a little country in Europe, between Spain and France.
The cremada de falles in Andorra is celebrated for the summer solstice on two different dates: on June 23, the festival of San Juan, you can enjoy the party in Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria, Escaldes-Engordany and Encamp; while on June 28, the festival of San Pedro, Ordino's turn arrives.
It is a tradition that reinforces the sense of belonging, identity and social cohesion, at the same time that it promotes solidarity, integration and dialogue between generations through the celebration of a party deeply rooted in the community.
Andorra promoted the incorporation of the fallas in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2015, the Summer Solstice Fire Festivities were introduced in the Pyrenees, which are celebrated in Andorra, Aragon, Catalonia and Occitania.
The summer solstice Fallas are Festivals of cultural interest included as intangible assets in the General Inventory of the cultural heritage of Andorra.
The main element of the party is the falla that, once lit, the fallaire spins vertiginously to create large circles of fire.
The materials from which they are made have evolved over time.
Andorran fallas, consist of a tall and thin trunk of boxwood into which sheets of birch bark are inserted.
The boxwood could be replaced by a branch of the same birch or by wire, if available.
Taking these shots wasn't easy. Although it was on winter, it was really hot being next to the fire. Which I really wanted to be able to capture it from near.
Also, as I wanted the full fire circle to show, so a slow shutter speed was necessary but I did not have a tripod with me. So I put the camera on the ground to stabilize it a bit (the lens is also stabilized).
When there was no more fire to burn, the party continued with a music concert. But aas the hot was fading out, the cold was kicking in!
It was a really nice experience to be there and amazing to see how they spin the fallas. I am a big fan of traditions and someone there told me that the last time they celebrate that party was like 14 years ago or so. So happy for them to bring it back!
- All pictures taken with Fujifilm camera and some Fuji lenses -
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