San Xuan Bonfire. Corvera

Every year, the area around the Trasona reservoir hosts the Foguera de San Xuan on the night of 23–24 June.

Dating back more than twenty-five years, this bonfire represents the folk tradition linked to the Celtic festival of Beltaine. It brings together mythology, beliefs, rites of passage and a deep connection with the creative cultures of the Atlantic Arc.

As part of this event, other cultural activities take place, including the traditional decoration of the fountains with branches, folk music performances, workshops and seminars on mythology, ethnographic events and a vibrant atmosphere steeped in Celtic and Asturian culture.

The programme will begin at 6.00 pm with children’s activities and performances designed for families, before the burning of the children’s bonfire ‘Gasometrín’, accompanied by the handing out of chocolate to the children in attendance.

Following the ‘Foguerina’, the bagpipes and drums of the Corvera Bagpipe Band will usher in the second part of the day, leading up to the lighting of the main bonfire at midnight. The evening will feature a concert by Belenos, accompanied by Güieldu and the Pandereteres, as well as the traditional bonfire-lighting ritual, starring the Nun Tris theatre group, the Bagpipe Band and the Pandereteres.

At 00:00, the huge bonfire ‘Fueu y Aceru’ will be lit; it was designed by the artisan Mónica Álvarez and is inspired by one of the gasometers from the coke battery. The festivities will continue from 00:30 with a grand open-air dance organised by Tekila.

Programme
Tuesday 23 June

• 6.00 pm. The programme begins with a performance by Total Freak.
• Followed by activities with La Caracola and Pedalarte.
• Afterwards: Lighting of the children’s bonfire ‘Gasometrín’ and distribution of hot chocolate to the children in attendance.
• After the Foguerina. Performance by the Corvera Bagpipe Band, featuring bagpipes and drums.
• 10.15 pm. Concert by Belenos, accompanied by Güieldu and the Pandereteres.
• Approx. 11.30 pm. Traditional bonfire ritual, featuring the Nun Tris theatre group, the Corvera Bagpipe Band and the Pandereteres.
• 00:00. Lighting of the great bonfire “Fueu y Aceru”, designed by the artisan Mónica Álvarez.
• 00:30. Grand open-air dance with Tekila.