And so, for centuries, the fires lit in Provence, Languedoc, Catalonia, France and Europe have welcomed the “good season” according to rites specific to each locality.
Born from a solar flame taken from Canigou in 1955, it burns all year round. Kept by the Catalans at Perpignan’s Castillet, it is handed over to the Provençals in June. Three days of relay races are needed to carry it from Perpignan to Ventimiglia, passing through some sixty towns and villages, including Arles, which receives the flame every June 23 around midday.
Program :
– 11:30 am: arrival of the flame / Hôtel-de-Ville
– 11:35 am: installation of the flame / salle des Pas Perdus in front of the Imbert stele
– 1:00 pm: meal / espace Daillan
– 6:00 pm: blessing of the flame / salle des Pas perdus
– 8:30pm: St John’s evening with traditional groups
– 9:45pm: flame transport from salle des Pas Perdus to esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle
– 10:00 pm: fire lighting and balèti / esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle
