This is Alicante Life: The beautiful sculptures that go up in flames! Part 1

As you have seen in my post about the construction of the hogueras, they take all year to design and make in the artists studio, then they are transported piece by piece to the site, and finally the team get a little more than a day to put it together and finish ready for the official judging. The large hogueras in the 'Special Category' have to be brought to the site a couple of days earlier due to their central location in the city and the difficulty of their size. This placing of the sculptures is called La Plantá and runs into the night to be ready for the deadline.

On 20th June, the children's hoguera is judged by the officials. Next to each hoguera (pronounced 'hoggera') there is always one for children. These smaller sculptures of about 2m tall are usually very cutely decorated with sweet colours and themes to attract the younger festival-goers. Here are some examples of hogueras Infantiles.

This last sculpture pays homage to the Arabic culture that forms part of the history of Alicante and specifically the legend of the 'Moor's face' (whose profile can be identified in the rock which the castle sits on top of), Prince Alí and Princess Cántara.

On 21st June, the official judges visit all of the Hogueras, the entrances of the Barracas, and the decorated streets that are entered in the competition. The winner is announced later in the day and they are presented with their titles. These embroidered shields are displayed next to their work of art to indicate its final position in the competition. There are different categories and different prize-givers.

This year the winning Hoguera in the Special Category is from the Foguerer Carolinas. The structure is 80% wood and cost around 60,000€. It represents the use of fire in these traditional fiestas of Alicante and also criticises political decisions like the rise in VAT on the cultural sector products and services from 8% to a shocking 21%.

I personally don't like the aesthetic of this sculpture and would have given first prize in this category to a different Hoguera, although I am unaware of the criteria that the judges have to follow. I like the concept and style of the one that received second place in the Special Category...

This is the hoguera from La Cerámica and for me was the most interesting sculpture this year. It is inspired by words by the poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and is very mysterious with the moon presiding over the night of the world, the night of time and the night of souls. As men enter into the paradise of dreams through the garden of romance (the other side of the hoguera is large peacock) an avalanche of people deliver the ram of wishes and desires to liberate battles, tempests and challenges...