Dwarves and Giants Running with Fire

It looked like today was going to be very ordinary. I thought I might tell you something about Edu the cat and his poorly leg. There was even an appealing photo of him snuggling amongst the bedclothes. Fortunately for you and for me the day got more exciting.

We thought we'd pop into town and have a look at the Dwarves and Giants Festival (I think it's Nanos i Gegants in the local Valencian language) postponed from last week because of the snow. The four groups from Elche, Alicante, Villena and Pinoso dressed up as dwarves, and giants to dance whilst their support bands played strange musical instruments. We watched.
This is me looking bemused, outside the Town Hall whilst a couple of Giants strut their stuff.


And as day gave way to night the dancing gave way to another festival called Corre de Foc (I think) - literally running with fire. People wearing red boiler suits and balaclava type masks with pointed ears, so they look like devils, process through the town whirling fireworks above their heads attached to their tridents. Pretty impressive stuff. We braved the sparks. Enough to send us into Majovic's Bar for a stiff one when it was all over.