Sant Joan fiesta of fire celebrates summer

BEACHES were crowded as thousands of people across Mallorca and the Balearic Islands celebrated the arrival of summer and called upon the patron saint Sant Joan on Tuesday (June 23) to bring the best of luck for the year.
To court the saint’s patronage, ceremonies must be fulfilled, which include jumping over a bonfire for the bravest souls, and taking a nocturnal swim, or a paddle for those running short of courage. It was all accompanied by lots of food, drinks, music and fun.
No less important was the traditional ‘correfoc’ (literally, ‘running with fire’), in which locals dress up in costumes resembling demons, setting off fireworks as they chase people along the Island’s streets. This year, the Parc de la Mar was filled with more than 300 ‘dimonis’ keeping this folkloric tradition alive.
Beaches such as the Can Pere Antoni and Ciutat Jardi were jam-packed with visitors and locals who gathered around to celebrate this enchanting party that welcomes the summer and casts out the bad spirits.