Horses jump through 'purifying' fire during Las Luminarias festival in Spain

#spain #lasluminarias
In San Bartolome de Pinares town, northwestern Madrid, dozens of horses were ridden through roaring bonfires during “Las Luminaries” festival that lasted until midnight on Tuesday. (Jan. 16) in honor of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

Making horses jump over flames seems to be cruel ritual to honor the patron saints of domestic animals but this is how a small Spanish town celebrates a traditional festival which is thought to be 500 years old.

Antonio, one of participant at the festival said “It is a festival that we have known since our childhood and we try to come to whenever we have the opportunity. A very colorful and fun event. So far, there has never been anything about the horses being harmed or injured.”

Fire and smoke created a picturesque scene as the masked riders made their way through a series of blazing bonfires in the town's narrow streets.

The horses were blessed by a priest before they entered the flames.

The traditional festival is believed to purify the animals and protect them from the disease in the coming year.

But the controversial annual festival draws criticism from animal rights activists as the horses are forced to take part in the event that is highly likely to cause them stress and fear.

The Just Videos delivers breaking news, latest gossip and incredible exclusives around the world with hubs in London, New York, Scotland and Ireland.
today news, breaking news, las luminaries festival, san bartolome de pinares, madrid festival, saint anthony the abbot, horse ritual, traditional festival, animal blessing, roaring bonfires, masked riders, controversial event, spain, fire, horse fire, horse in fire, world, world news