Horses leap through flames as part of Spanish ritual to honor St. Anthony, AP explains

Описание: (17 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
San. Bartolome de Pinares, Avila, Spain - 16 January 2026
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of procession of riders on horseback before start, bonfire
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Iain Sullivan, The Associated Press:
"So we're at the Las Luminarias festival, a festival of light, of fire and smoke. And what we have are the locals on their horses jumping over bonfires of pinewood cut from the forests and woods nearby. The idea is an ancient festival and the idea is for the smoke to purify the animals and to bring good luck to the riders."
3. Various of riders and horses jumping through flames
4. Crowd
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Iain Sullivan, The Associated Press:
"Animal rights campaigners have complained that the animals are caused to suffer, however the riders are adamant that the horses are safe, that they are protected and that the riders know what they are doing. It's a big festival, a big festival in these towns, (inaudible). People are enjoying themselves, looking on and clapping the riders as they go over the bonfires. A real spectacular event."
6. Various of riders and horses jumping through flames
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Spaniards on Friday evening watched horses gallop through towering flames in a centuries-old tradition called Las Luminarias.

Las Luminarias is a centuries-old tradition that takes place in the Spanish village of San Bartolome de Pinares — population 500 — about 100 kilometers (60 miles) outside Madrid. Riders guide horses through bonfires in the middle of the street in an act believed to purify the animals in the coming year.

Festivities start around nightfall Friday as giant stacks of tree branches are placed on the side of the street, while locals mull about sharing wine, beer and sweets. Hours later, the stacks are lit and become the menacing fires that the animals must jump through — or around.

Animal rights groups have long criticized Las Luminarias, but locals say the horses are rarely, if ever, injured.

"The horses are the most important thing today," said 55-year-old festival attendee Carmen Pascual. "In fact, people who have horses bring out their best horse today with their finest attire for this. Nothing can happen to your horse."

Hours before the start of Las Luminarias, riders wrap their horses’ tails in fire-resistant tape and braid their manes. Some apply a glaze on the animals’ mane to prevent them from burning as they leap through the flames. Others beautify them, tightly braiding their manes, tying pink and red ribbons to their tails wrapped in tape, and adorning them with decorative headpieces.

Livestock and farming were common livelihoods in San Bartolome and scores of other central Spanish villages and towns that now stand empty for much of the year.

Locals here say Las Luminarias started after a mysterious illness swept through the village’s animals centuries ago, after which people started to believe that smoke could purify and heal the horses.

For the festival riders, the tradition is deeply imbued in the regional culture. "You know, it's a feeling that's very hard to explain," says 36 year old rider Angel Martín, who has taken part in the festival since he was 7. "A sentiment, a tradition. I don't know, it's very hard to explain."

Going to Las Luminarias means returning home in the early hours the next day with clothes and hair that reek of smoke. In Spain's emptying countryside, locals welcome that the tradition brings family, friends and onlookers to the village for one night each year.

AP Video by Iain Sullivan



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