This weekend we celebrate “la Verbena de San Juan” in Spain, which is a festivity taking place on the night of the 23rd of June. The shortest night of the year has a special traditional significance, through 3 different symbols; Fire, Water and Herbs.
- The fire symbolizes purity and bonfires can be seen both in town squares and on the beach.
- The water symbolizes healing, and the tradition says it has a special effect to take a swim, at midnight.
- The herbs symbolize remedy and some claim that the ones picked on the night of San Juan, has an enhanced curative effect.
All in all, it’s a festive tradition, where family and friends come together to eat, drink and dance all night. By midnight fireworks and loud firecrackers can be seen and heard around the cities and along the beaches. It’s an electric atmosphere, topped off by eating “La coca de San Juan”, a cake in different varieties. The following day, 24th of June is a public holiday, spent to clean up the streets and beaches from last night partying and maybe heal that hangover with some fresh herbs;-)
Buena verbena, everybody!