Fire Festival

Saint John's Eve is the eve of celebration before the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist. In many countries bonfires are lit on the evening of 28 June for people to jump over. This custom is associated with the harvesting traditions and the beginning of summer. According to the tradition, bonfires are built on the shores of lakes, near rivers or on the beaches so that they can be seen as far away as possible. This custom is present in all Croatian regions, including Istria. In the village of Sv. Ivan (Saint John) near Oprtalj a tall bonfire was built by the inhabitants and then jumped over by children, but like many other customs this one slowly falls into oblivion. That is why the Fire festival in Oprtalj is organized – to revive an old tradition that culminates when a bonfire is lit.