The Bonfire of the Clouds

This year, I received an invitation from the president of the Federació de les Fogueres de Sant Joan to be the host of the tribute event for the deceased bonfire and barraca members. It was an extraordinary experience and an opportunity to remember those who came before us and contributed a part of their lives to the Festival.

Ninety-one Bonfires and fifty Barracas awaited the first parade, but we never remember that there is another committee, formed by those who are no longer with us, 'the Bonfire of the Clouds'. It is the largest, we do not know in which square it is set up, but what we are sure of is that one day we will all join it. Noelia is already one of its members.

Upon arrival, she must have asked who likes to dance and would have become 'the boss' of artistic activities. Surely, she has already chosen the music, the set, and the costumes, because up there they also want to enjoy every rehearsal and are happy making others happy with their performances.

Noelia was number one in that and many other things. From discretion, she knew how to be the perfect protagonist, one among peers, but with a special vision of what had to be done and how to do it.

I met her in 2011 when, in one of those bonfire crazes, we thought of setting up a dance with the music of our anthem 'From Quiroga to Sèneca-Autobusos' for the Proclamation of the Bellea event... and the madness became reality with the best results.

The Bonfire of the Clouds is the Bonfire of our memories, of our families, our friends. They will be happy if we are, following the tradition of setting up and burning a bonfire, sharing nights in the barraca, and getting emotional 'A la llum de les Fogueres'.

The Fiesta collective is very large and sometimes we have to say goodbye. But the people who mattered to us at some point in our lives never really leave, and some small detail always connects them to us.

The great artistic bets of the Fiesta will always remind us of Noelia, but also the successes shared from simplicity.

Simply, thank you.