p.Haney

Correfocs (literally in English “fire-runs”) are among the most striking features present in Catalan festivals. In the correfoc, a group of individuals will dress as devils and light fireworks. While dancing to the drums of a traditional gralla, they will set off their fireworks among crowds of spectators.

About forty groups of “colles de diables” - “groups of devils” from in and around Barcelona, as well as dragons and other “bestiari de foc” -  fire beasts, take part in this festival of fire. The legend of Correfoc is that the  Mascle Cabró (Catalan) or Macho Cabrón in Spanish - a male goat or ram in English - hears the arrival of the “diables” the devils,  and commands his armies to cross the gate of hell called “Porta de l´Infern” which separates the real world from hell. At the end of the correfoc the devils are sent back into hell. The Merce correfoc starts with spectacular fireworks of the “Porta de l´Infern ” - “Gates of Hell,” which then open and release the “diables” to start the “correfoc”  firerun. About 80.000 fireworks are used during the correfoc.

This past weekend in Barcelona I got to witness this spectacle of lights as part of La Mercè Festival 2011.  Stunning (and slightly dangerous).