The Pyrenees are competing for this distinction: 63 towns in Catalonia, 15 in the Lleida region, Aragon, Andorra, and France, all celebrating this ancient tradition on Saint John's Day.
The official application, entitled "The Summer Solstice Fire Festival in the Pyrenees," has been submitted to UNESCO headquarters in Paris for Intangible Heritage of Humanity designation. The final decision is expected to be announced in November 2015. It should be noted that this is the first festival on the Intangible Heritage list to feature fire as a central element, and its designation by UNESCO would be a tourist attraction and a prestigious achievement.
The joint candidacy document of Spain, France and Andorra presented to UNESCO includes the Fallas festivals of Boí, Taüll, Erill-la-Vall, Barruera, Durro, El Pont de Suert, Llesp, Casós, Vilaller and Senet, in the Alta Ribagorça region; Arties and Les, in the Val d'Aran; Isil and Alins, in Pallars Sobirà, and La Pobla de Segur, in Pallars Jussà.
More information:
Pallars Sobirà Tourist Office – Tel. 973 62 10 02