Last Saturday we celebrated the magic night of San Juan. This is the night of the summer-solstice, celebrated in Galicia since centuries and it's linked to fertility rituals and purification. Galicia is burning that night from north to south and from east to west. There are bonfires in every home, every neighborhood and especially on every beach. Said to be a magical night: the time to scare off evil spirits. The bonfires are lit after midnight and good luck is attributed to jumping over it nine times.
This year Vic and I celebrated it with some friends on the beach of Cabanas, near Pontedeume. And this year the spanish football team played a match that same night before having barbecue spare-ribs and (most important according to the tradition) grilled sardines! The atmosphere was incredible. And Spain won the match so double celebration.
The typical food of the night of San Juan are the grilled sardines. Of course we ate sardines (which were really good) and barbecue. Wine, beer (all alcohol-free for me) and shots of good-old (and very popular) galician "coffee liquor".
Around midnight all the bonfires on the beach are lit and the atmosphere became magical. We were laughing, dancing, enjoying the night in company of our friends. It was a great night that we will always remember like our last San Juan just the two of us... we'll be 3...next year!
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