Devils spotted dancing on the streets of Valencia!
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Valencia on fire!
This medieval practice, known as Ball de Diables evolved into correfoc, a popular performance where Good and Evil come head-to-head in a spectacular way. A truly impressive, traditional pyrotechnical display.
What is it?
The correfocs come in all shapes and sizes, and each town may have its own customs and traditions about how the correfoc is carried out. Usually, each town will have its own collection of monstrous creations that reappear year after year to the delight (or fright) of the local participants. In larger correfocs, there is usually a central float from which the fireworks are distributed and which serves as the central base for the devils. In smaller correfocs, each devil has their own supply of fireworks and disperses them themselves through the crowd as they wish.
How did it get started?
This spectacle is believed to have emerged as a spontaneous interaction between spectators and participants in the traditional Ball de Diables or ‘Devil Dances.’ This theatrical performance saw performers dressed as devils recreate the duel between Good and Evil in a spectacular pyrotechnic performance involving many fireworks.
When can I watch it?
In Valencia, it is to celebrate the closing of la Gran Fira de València held in July. In Sitges, it is common for a crowd to line a street, while participants run through a tunnel of fireworks. In Barcelona, it is run during the Festival of La Mercè in Barcelona. In Tarragona, it is during the Festival of Santa Tecla while in Girona, it is during the Festival of Saint Narcissus.
Although a ‘watch-only’ show where spectators stand back from the show, the smaller versions in a neighborhood or town is another great occasion to get up close and personal with the devils and monsters.
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