Correfoc

Correfoc in Valencia

Correfocs (Catalan pronunciation: [ˌkorəˈfɔks]); literally in English "fire-runs") are among the most striking features present in Valencian and Catalan festivals. In the correfoc, a group of individuals will dress as devils and light up fireworks – fixed on devil's pitchforks or strung above the route. Some groups have beasts like dragons or giants. The spectators that participate dress with hats and handkerchiefs to protect themselves against burns or smoke as attempt to get as close as possible to the devils, running with the fire. Other spectators will watch from "safe" distances, rapidly retreating as necessary. A correfoc is different from a parade or a procession. The correfoc is faster and can be very intense, and the parade is slower and usually without participation of the people.

The correfoc can come in many forms. Some are simple parades using fireworks and effigies of the devil. In other ones, like Sitges, it is common for the crowd to run through narrow streets or squares filled with fireworks. Correfocs are usually run during catalan local festivals, like Festival of La Mercè in Barcelona, the Festival of Santa Tecla in Tarragona and the Festival of Saint Narcissus in Girona.