The Fia-Faia, Christmas tradition

The Fia-Faia

The fire, along with torches vegetable is the star of this party linked to Christmas, known as the Fia-Faia.

The presence of fire at this event is believed to be related to the winter solstice. One could interpret a prayer pagan sun in order to prevent shortening of the days. At the same time, although it is believed that the festival is pre-Christian origin, remember the birth of Jesus Christ as it is many religions fire symbolizes fertility and birth.

The nickname by which the feast is known - Fia-Faia - is not to mean more to turn or burn fail, as Fia comes from a Latin verb meaning WHILE celebrate or take place that seems to derive from Faia failure that term is synonymous with dead branches or some combustible material.

The reason why Faia is written with an "i" instead of "ll" may be as a result of old never baganeses not pronounce "ll" who attached the sound of an "i".

This party identification of part of Catalonia and unique as it being a widespread cult has become a minority party, was declared in 2011 Feast of national interest by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

The ritual of the festival

This festival takes place on Christmas Eve, specifically, during the evening of December 24 and is celebrated simultaneously in two towns in Catalonia, Baga and Sant Julia de Cerdanyola . This begins the period of the holiday season in the two municipalities.

The festival involves burning torches known also as fail to celebrate the winter solstice took place after the "toc d'oració" (call to prayer).

So later, before the "toc d'oració" and fail collective burning of a group of adults fallaires have to bring fire to the people allowing them to light the torches. This fire is brought into the town from the mountain of Siti, taking advantage of the opportunity that is where the sun sets and does not match the same amount of Baga with that of Sant Julia de Cerdanyola , light a small fire. The small fire is visible from both municipalities.

These people, when they come down the mountain and reach the village, the fire spread to the rest of impatient waiting fallaires burning torches. Witness the colorful recommended carriers drop fire runs along the flat road.

Once it reaches the fire begins to sound the "toc d'oració" and that burning the fail, is accompanied singing "Fia-Fai, Fia-Faia, who has nascut Senyor nostre the paia".

Held this ritual the days become longer and return the splendor of good weather because sardañolenses baganeses and burned during his Christmas Eve fail.

The Baga party i in Sant Julia de Cerdanyola

Both Baga as in Sant Julia de Cerdanyola party Fia-Faia follows the ritual, although both municipalities have incorporated their customization items and have adopted new habits to celebrate that do not alter the original liturgy.

In Baga , formerly held the Fia-Faia through its streets and it is a small town of about 2,000 inhabitants. Today it is celebrated in a specific space in the Plaza de Catalunya. This square is home to nearly two hundred arcaded torches.

Moreover, recalling medieval village, is chosen a baron and a baroness who are residents of the municipality. They preside over the acts of the party and are what give the go-ahead to fail burning the afternoon of 24 December, when the Baron turned his torch once have welcomed the Lords of Faia.

When fail are almost consumed the throw to the ground, grouping and forming hogueruelas and children and young people jumping with the chant of "Fia-Faia, Fia-Faia, Nostremar Senyor ..." and surrounded by a circle that forms around.

When finished and already being dinner embers exploit soil and toasted bread that accompanied condony garlic mayonnaise (aioli quince).

In Sant Julia de Cerdanyola Square bonfires are kept on all night until the sun rises.

Around these, after burning fail and Gall Mass is celebrated a communal meal cooking sausages, meat, etc.. and toasted bread with garlic mayonnaise Christmas songs accompanied Codony. At the end conducted "l'endreça" (collection) of the houses, another tradition of the municipality.

"L'endreça" house is a walk through the village looking for something to pick up. Everything that is to collect the square takes and stays until the next day, Christmas Day. You can find tables and beach chairs, pots full of milk, pots, carts, signs, Christmas trees ...

Photos: Pere Pedrals, Susanna BUJAN i Xavi Roca