Bonfires santantonades in the Comunitat Valenciana

On 17th January, many towns and villages in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón pay tribute to San Antonio Abad, the patron saint of animals, by holding all kinds of liturgical and festive acts. Canals, Morella and Biar can provide a taster of such celebrations held throughout the three provinces.

Between 16th and 18th January in Canals, Valencia, the festive spirit will invade every corner. On Friday, the Dia de la Foguera (Bonfire Day) gets underway at 9 p.m.  Having sung the solemn vespres, the priest takes sacred fire from the lamp of San Antonio Abad and, accompanied by the revellers, goes to the Plaza Mayor to light the Foguera, a 20 metre high bonfire.
That same weekend, throughout the Region of Valencia, there will be animal blessings and santantonades, one of the most characteristic and representative celebrations of Morella and the districts of Els Ports and El Maestrat. And in Alicante, you can witness the return of well-known figures such as Rei Paixàro in Biar, which celebrates this ancient Pagan festival representing the custom of collecting farming tithes from Moorish settlements before their expulsion.

Many other towns and villages throughout the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante also celebrate the festivity of San Antonio Abad, with a number of different activities, markets, fairs and other acts, each with its own unique character.

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