Correfoc

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.