Wikipedia

Correfoc

Video of correfoc in Girona
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[1]. The spectators that participate dress with hats and handkerchiefs to protect themselves[2] 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.[3][4] A correfoc is different from a parade or a procession. These ones are usually slower than a correfoc,

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,[3] the Festival of Santa Tecla in Tarragona[5] and the Festival of Saint Narcissus in Girona.[6]

Another typical Catalan folkloric expression of this sort takes place in L'Arboç. The highlight of the village's feast is the Carretillada. In the evening of the feast day, the town square is made to look like Hell. For nearly half an hour, "devils" burn their carretilles (carts), jumping around ceaselessly, while a large "sceptre of Lucifer" and the "pitchfork of the Diablessa (she-devil)" shoot fire-jets and other pyrotechnics. Every year, the carretillada is a bit different, because the 'colla' does not give up novelties that are added each year to add to the spectacle.

Music

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Usually, correfocs have drum bands that follow the devils, but some of them, like Manresa, incorporated music composed specifically for the occasion[7]. The music usually can be played for band, or in some cases, pre-recorded audio files are played with speakers.


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  • Correfoc in Benimaclet
    Correfoc in Benimaclet
  • Devil raising the pitchfork above participants heads and devil's processional giant head.
    Devil raising the pitchfork above participants heads and devil's processional giant head.
  • Devil pointing the pitchfork fireworks to the floor and running towards the crowd.
    Devil pointing the pitchfork fireworks to the floor and running towards the crowd.
  • Devil using a backpack equipped with fireworks.
    Devil using a backpack equipped with fireworks.
  • Víbria (Female dragon) in Manresa
    Víbria (Female dragon) in Manresa
  • Correfoc in Sant Martí de Provençals
    Correfoc in Sant Martí de Provençals

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "correfoc | enciclopedia.cat". www.enciclopedia.cat (in Catalan). Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  2. ^ MATEU, DAVID GARCÍA (2016-09-21). "¿Qué no vestir en el 'correfoc' de la Mercè?". El Periódico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  3. ^ a b "Correfoc | Cultura Popular". Barcelona City Council. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  4. ^ Jessop, Tara. "Everything You Need To Know About The Catalan Correfoc". Culture Trip. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  5. ^ "El Correfoc pone punto final a las fiestas de Santa Tecla más reivindicativas". Diari de Tarragona (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  6. ^ "¿Qué hacer en las Fires de Sant Narcís 2018?". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  7. ^ Festes.org (2026-02-13). "Correfoc". Festes.org (in Catalan). Retrieved 2026-02-13.
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