But here they really know how to entertain the young people. This weekend was the annual Festa Jove (Youth Festival). It kicked off at 9.30pm as gangs of young people with drums slung over their shoulders pounded out vigorous rhythms and danced around the square. Then they set the place ablaze.
Most (but certainly not all) of the older boys (plus a handful of girls) were clad in flameproof devil suits and they brandished long sticks with firecrackers nailed on the end. Together a group would hold their sticks aloft, touching in the middle, and set light to the lot. One even set his bike aflame.
As the firecrackers blazed, banged and spun the devils ran and danced through the streets of the village.
Smaller children chased after them (the Catalan version of health and safety in this case being providing your young offspring with some long trousers and a scarf to cover their face). The rest of us dodged the sparks, drank beer and had a great time. (You can read about the symbolism of the correfoc on Wikipedia - it's all about the powers of good and evil.)
After a brief firework display in the village square, a huge canon jetted gallons of foam into the street until we were knee-deep in it. A good way to cool down, for sure, but it smelt vile. Covered in bubbles, people then moved on to the bars and the disco at the football pitch, which apparently lasted until dawn, although we didn't.
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