In what is considered the most magical night of the year, with the arrival of the summer solstice, the Les Falles festival is held in Alins (Pallars Sobirà) every year on St. John’s Eve (23rd of June).
This festivity full of colour, fire and music revolves around la Falla Major, the trunk of a pine tree. About eight metres high, the Falla is burnt in front the church of the village as traditional music is performed around the flames.
The purifying fire becomes the protagonist on the night, says the tradition that the fire burns evil spirits and also fertilises the earth to give good harvests.
The Pyrenean fire festival is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity according to the resolution of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, dated 1st December 2015.
