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Correfoc
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<p> <i>Correfocs</i> ; literally in <a href="/facts/English_language/tpkxGt7b">English</a> "fire-runs") are among the most striking features present in <a href="/facts/Valencian_Community/Uqs9mId2">Valencian</a> and <a href="/facts/Catalonia/p2KeGXbf">Catalan</a> festivals. In the <i>correfoc</i>, a group of individuals will dress as <a href="/facts/Devil/4FBx2qpz">devils</a> and light up <a href="/facts/Fireworks/sPEQcu3h">fireworks</a> – fixed on devil's pitchforks or strung above the route. Dancing to the sound of a rhythmic drum group, they set off their fireworks among crowds of spectators. The spectators that participate dress to protect themselves against small burns and attempt to get as close as possible to the devils, running with the fire. Other spectators will watch from "safe" distances, rapidly retreating as necessary. </p><p>The <i>correfoc</i> can come in many forms. Some are simple parades using fireworks and effigies of the devil. In <a href="/facts/Sitges/1umxnpDf">Sitges</a>, it is common for a crowd to line a street, while participants run through a tunnel of fireworks. <i>Correfocs</i> are run during the <a href="/facts/La_Merc%25C3%25A8/0PBsAt6v">Festival of <i>La Mercè</i></a> in Barcelona, the Festival of Santa Tecla in Tarragona and the Festival of Saint Narcissus in <a href="/facts/Girona/MmqU0xjV">Girona</a>. </p><p>Another typical Catalan folkloric expression of this sort takes place in <a href="/facts/L%2527Arbo%25C3%25A7/H8p8trV7">L'Arboç</a>. The highlight of the village's feast is the <i>Carretillada</i>. In the evening of the feast day, the town square is made to look like <a href="/facts/Hell/2nIkoYTB">Hell</a>. For nearly half an hour, "devils" burn their <i>carretilles</i> (carts), jumping around ceaselessly, while a large "sceptre of Lucifer" and the "pitchfork of the <i>Diablessa</i> (she-devil)" shoot fire-jets and other <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnics/Gocs5Gcu">pyrotechnics</a>. Every year, the <i>carretillada</i> is a bit different, because the 'colla' does not give up novelties that are added each year to add to the spectacle. </p>