FIRE HOLIDAY - FOCARA
The Focar festival in Italy is the celebration of fire
Every year in Novoli (Puglia) on January 16-17-18, in honor of St. Anthony, the patron saint of the region, they organize a fire festival - Fòkara, an event that attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world to the city.
The origin of the holiday is not exactly known, but probably the custom of lighting a "holy fire" dates back to the Byzantine era.
A few days before the holiday, locals begin to bring dry branches (vines) to the square to build a giant fire.
Can you imagine a giant bonfire 25 meters high and 20 meters in diameter, surrounded by 60,000 spectators?!
During the kindling of fire, thousands of people gather around him, who have fun and dance, music and fireworks begin to speed up, and this is somewhat reminiscent of a "witch's sabbath". The giant fire of Fokar continues to burn all night and the next day, at this time the participants of the holiday are entertained with concerts, fireworks, a fair and tastings of local wines and products.
The holiday is very cheerful and incendiary.
Ray Bradbury