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Horses purified by fire at Spanish festival

January 22, 2019 08:14 IST

Over a hundred horses jumped through bonfires in a purification ceremony last week during the Spanish festival of “Las Luminarias” in a village northwest of Madrid.

The traditional night time celebration takes place in San Bartolome de Pinares every January 16, the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day, Spain’s patron saint of animals.

 

Take a look at this fiery fest.

A man rides a horse through flames during the annual 'Luminarias' celebration on the eve of Saint Anthony's day, Spain's patron saint of animals, in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares, northwest of Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Participants believe that horses who leap through the flames of specially constructed bonfires will be purified during the coming year. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

Scores of riders jumped their mounts through bonfires in the Spanish village of San Bartolome de Pinares, northwest of Madrid, for a tradition that locals say is an integral part of their culture. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

Animal rights groups have long been critical of the event, with Spanish political party the Animalist Party Against the Mistreatment of Animals describing the festival on its website as an example of 'clear animal abuse'. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

Despite being criticised by animal rights groups over the years, a participant says that the horses were not harmed due to precautions taken by riders to cut horse hair to avoid burns. Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

The tradition that dates back 500 years and is meant to purify the animals with the smoke of the bonfires and protect them for the year to come. Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

After the ceremony, residents cook meat on the blazes before partying the night away. Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Couples, parents and children take part in the annual ritual. Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images