San Sebastian fiestas come to colourful end

A spectacular Correfoc, running with fire, in the Borne, brought the San Sebastian fiestas to a colourful close on Sunday evening. The programme of events had started on January 12 and included free pop concerts in the city centre squares, exhibitions, children's activities and sports events. The Correfoc started later than announced and also went on for longer than scheduled, an hour and a half, but apart from that it was a colourful spectacle enjoyed by all those who watched, and even more by those who joined in. The parade was opened by the Demons of Albopàs and those from Massalfassar in Alicante, this year's special guests. Then came the giant Raven of Sant Nofre, the demons of Sant Joan and the fire-spouting Marranxa of Alaro, which was the most spectacular of the beasts. The parade started in the Avenida Antoni Maura and went along the Born to the Plaza Juan Carlos, where spectators were taken by surprise when two giant fire demons suddenly appeared from the side streets. After going around the square and down the Borne again, the parade broke up. Earlier in the day about 500 people had taken part in the photography marathon, sponsored by Sa Nostra and Kodak. This event is now in its 16th year, and some people who took part in the first one as adolescents participated in this one accompanied by their children. Each participant received a T shirt and a 12-shot reel of film and seven hours in which to take 12 pictures on themes selected by the organisers. There are substantial cash prizes for the winners, ranging from 25'000 to 130'000 euros, as well as other prizes such as photography courses or equipment. The photographs taken will be on show at Sa Nostra's cultural centre from February 4. And one of the main talking points on Sunday was the exhibition of 40 vintage cars in the Borne. They included a Delage from 1912, a Model T Ford from 1917; two Rolls Royce, from 1927 and 1938, a 1928 Citroen and a 1935 Hudson.