Saint-Jean du Canigou Festival

Vernet-les-Bains, cradle of the Canigou flame

Vernet-les-Bains, a spa town nestled at the foot of the Canigou massif, is the starting point for the flame that will light the Saint John's fires throughout the Catalan country. Every June 23rd, the mountain guides of Vernet bring back the regenerated flame from the summit of Canigou, the sacred mountain of the Catalans, for a ceremony full of solemnity and joy on the Place de la République.

The regeneration of the flame

A week before Saint John's Day, during the Trobada, volunteers and association members climb to the summit of Canigou with bundles of vine shoots to prepare the bonfire. The gigantic blaze is lit at the top of the mountain and the flame is then brought down by the guides to Vernet-les-Bains, from where it will be distributed to all Catalan towns and villages.

A day of Catalan celebration

The Saint John's Day celebration in Vernet-les-Bains takes place throughout the day and evening of June 23rd, on the Place de la République:

• In the morning, return of the flame carried by the mountain guides and regeneration ceremony, animated by the Cobla Principal del Rosselló
• In the afternoon, traditional sardanes with the Cobla Principal del Rosselló
• In the evening, concert by the Chorale Alégria accompanied by the Vernet-les-Bains Music School
• At nightfall, lighting of the basin, tasting of muscat and Catalan fougasse, distribution of ramallets (Saint John's bouquets) and popular dance

A living and universal tradition

The Saint John's Day of Canigou Festival is listed as intangible cultural heritage of Catalonia. From Vernet-les-Bains, the flame is carried by messengers to Perpignan, Céret, Collioure and hundreds of villages on both sides of the border, symbolizing Catalan unity and fraternity. The International Congress of the Canigou Flame is held annually in a different city of the Catalan world.