The Festa de la Fia-Faia is an ancient fire ritual held every 24 December in Bagà and Sant Julià de Cerdanyola, in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. With origins that reach back into pre-Christian times, it marks the winter solstice and the arrival of Christmas. As the sun sets behind the Pedraforca, locals light the faies (torches made from dried grass) and descend in procession to the centre of the village. There they gather around a large bonfire, accompanied by traditional songs, folk dances and the long-standing custom of leaping over the still-glowing embers.
This is good to know
The celebration begins as the sun slips behind the Pedraforca massif. Only then are the faies lit, some reaching up to four metres in length.
This tradition forms part of the Falles del Pirineu, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Fia-Faia is rooted in ancient agricultural and solar rituals, marking the return of the sun after the longest night of the year.