Correfocs: a Catalan summer spectacle
Correfocs – fire runs – are one of the most exciting spectacles in Catalan culture, and there are lots going on as part of summer festivals throughout the Terres de l’Ebre.
As night falls, groups of young people shroud themselves in flameproof devil costumes, then – to a heart-pumping drum beat – they dance and run (or even cycle – see picture below) through the crowds as they light fireworks.
Younger children wrap themselves up in hats, scarves and gloves and run along with the devils.
Correfoc in El Perelló with a bicycle in flames
Coming up: Correfocs in Camarles, El Perelló and Rasquera
In Camarles, the correfoc starts at 10.30pm this evening (Thursday 27 July). More information here.
El Perelló’s Festa Jove is on Saturday 29 July includes a correfoc from 10pm, then the main square will be filled with water and foam for everyone.
In Mora d’Ebre, the local correfocs group is celebrating their 25th anniversary on Saturday 29 July. Events start at 7.30pm.
Rasquera’s correfoc is part of the town’s ‘festes majors’ and will begin at 9.30pm on Saturday 5 August.
➤ For more details about all these events and more, see our Events Calendar here.
Advice for spectators
If you are going to watch the correfocs, expect to have to run out of the way of the devils, and consider wearing a hat or scarf to protect yourself from sparks. Young children may be better at home, watching from a distance, or inside a bar.
See our photo gallery of a correfoc here.
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