24th June is Saint Jean's Day (St John) and the Trobada is a celebration that takes place in the Catalan southern bit of France and north of Spain is the meeting, at the summit of Mount Canigó, of people from both sides of the border, and the making of a bonfire around the iron cross that marks the highest point (2784 m), starting on 22nd June, Summer Solstice. Then at the midnight, a flame is brought from Perpignan to light the fire. The next day torches carrying la Flama de Canigó are run down the mountain back to the communities either side of the border (Canigó is in France) whereupon everybody celebrates St Jean by lighting their own village bonfire and dancing all night!
I will do it one year, but have yet to even reach the top of Canigó under normal circumstances (ie. in a 4x4 jeep) let alone walking it in the dark...
I will do it one year, but have yet to even reach the top of Canigó under normal circumstances (ie. in a 4x4 jeep) let alone walking it in the dark...
Links:
in Catalan, routes, etc: http://flamadelcanigo.omnium.cat/www/flamadelcanigo/ca/
in French & Catalan, history, etc: http://flamadelcanigo.free.fr
in English: http://www.anglophone-direct.com/La-Trobada-du-Canigou-and-Les-feux
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