Arties and Les celebrate the night of Saint Joan with very particular about fire festivals.
With the arrival of the summer solstice the purifying fire becomes the protagonist on the night of June 23, says the tradition that the fire burned evil spirits and also fertilize the earth to give good harvests.
In what is considered the most magical night of the year Les and Arties wear their best clothes for the summer and meet the traditions of the valley. Fire, music and tree trunks are essential to the celebration of this holiday items, participation of Aran and visitors make it a very special night.
Les celebrate at this time the festivities and the night of the Crema deth Haro 23. Everything begins with a ringing of bells, about 22.00 h. From that moment the audience focus on the Plaça deth Haro for the procession presiding image of San Juan and the young men carried the cross, banners and processional flags follow the saint and the entourage closing It Corbilhuèrs members of a group of traditional music and dance enliven the evening. Haro is blessed, lights and dance and sing around. While the music plays is burning and attendees take the vin caud, mulled wine and fruit sugar which is produced in large pots in the square, accompanied caud vin coca. And finally falls Haro, in the tradition some people catch some of the ashes, which previously also threw in orchards.
The day of San Pedro planted a new Haro at the square to be crowned with flowers carried by newly married couples.
In Arties the night of San Juan is celebrated around the Taro, a huge fir trunk going on and drag it through the streets and squares of the village is a holiday journey in which traditional music is also present and youth leap over the flames. This party, which has traditionally coincided with the dates on which the Aranese shepherds herd climbed the mountains has always been very important in the festive calendar.
Preparations for the cream Taro you start one month before San Juan, when the forest is going to seek, straighter and more beautiful highest fir, takes the people and take away the branches, when the trunk is clean opens half is planted halfway up and allowed to dry.
Before midnight on 23 young people focus Taro below, waiting to hear the cry “HUEc Taro” Taro fire when the trunk is throw it on the ground and begins the most anticipated moment of the night, they tie ropes and walk on fire by all the people, the most daring leap over the trunk just late in the morning at the door of the mayor’s house. Where the charred trunk is left, says the tradition that the mayor should be invited to drink to all who have gotten there, also will address off the Taro.