A bonfire is a big, well-managed outdoor fire that is used for either informal garbage disposal or as part of a celebration.

Bonfires are lit in various parts of continental Europe on January 16, the solemnity of John the Baptist, and on the Saturday night before Easter. Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe, as well as the celebrations on the eve of St. John’s Day in Spain, involve bonfires. Bonfires are a tradition in Finland and Norway on Midsummer Eve and, to a lesser extent, Easter. On the final day of April in Sweden, bonfires are lighted as part of the Walpurgis Night celebrations.

Early spring bonfire customs, which include lighting a fire on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday (Funkensonntag), are common in Alemannic German-speaking regions of Europe and portions of France. This Alemannic ritual prompted the Sechseläuten in Zürich to burn “winter in effigy” (established in 1902). Easter fires are common in Austria. However, they are also controlled in several towns, regions, and nations to keep the yearly peak of PM10-dust emission to a minimum. On the evening of June 21, “Sonnwendfeuer” (solstice fires) is also lit.

Since 1988, “Feuer in den Alpen” (Alpine flames) have been set on mountains on a day in August so that they may be seen from afar as a plea for sustainable mountain development.

The Czech Republic’s “Burning the Witches” celebration (also known as Philp & Jacob Night, Walpurgis Night, or Beltane) takes place on the night of April 30 and May 1. This is a very old folk tradition and unique festival that is still honored today. People assemble that night to ignite bonfires and celebrate the arrival of spring. Maypoles are erected in various locations.

The night between April 30 and May 1 was said to be magical. The event was most likely first held when the moon was closest to the day between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. People thought that witches flew on the Sabbath on this night, and it is true that this is one of the most important pagan celebrations. People also thought that treasures were concealed in the opening of numerous caverns, for example. The major objective of this traditional folk ritual was most likely a fertility celebration.

People burned bonfires in high locations to ward off witches, referring to these fires as “Burning the Witches.” To ensure youth and fertility, some individuals began jumping over the flames. People led their livestock over the ashes to guarantee fertility, and the ash from these fires was said to have a unique power to grow crops.

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