The custom spread rapidly and in 1966 it crossed the border with France for the first time, reaching Vic. Inspired by " Canigó", the famous poem by Jacint Verdaguer, he got the idea of lighting fires at the top of the mountain for Sant Joan and spreading the flame around. This ritual began in 1955, on the initiative of Francesc Pujades, who lived in Arles de Tec (Arles sur Tech). The flame, which comes from the peak of the Canigó mountain in the Pyrenees, is the one used to light Sant Joan fires around the region, and will be received first at the Catalan Parliament and. Obviously, all this work starts many months before Sant Joan, and some years ago now, Òmnium Cultural took on the central role as the body in charge of organising and promoting the activities hundreds of individuals, institutions and associations plan round the flame. This mobilisation requires a big effort to coordinate the routes the flame takes, complete all the paperwork and steps required to get the necessary authorisation and permits, and to publicise the movement so as to highlight and spread it.
Everywhere, when the flame has reached its destination, before the bonfires are lit, a common message is read out to remind everyone of its significance. Each village, town and city receives the flame in it own way, with music, devils, dance, etc., but always with a shared ritual. On foot or horseback, by car, bike, boat and any possible means of transport, the Flama del Canigó reaches every corner of the land, thanks to the efforts of numerous groups and associations. Straightaway they set off, splitting and spreading the fire to light the Sant Joan bonfires in hundreds of towns, villages and cities. During the Spanish Civil War, Catalonia was a key Republican stronghold, and the fall of Barcelona to Gen Francisco Francos right-wing forces in 1939 marked the beginning of the end of republican. At midnight the fire from the flame is shared out among those present. It keeps burning throughout the year at the Perpignan Castellet until 22 June, when it is carried to the mountain's summit. The fire of the Flama del Canigó (Canigou Flame) is never extinguished. It combines with the Sant Joan midsummer celebrations to evoke the common identity of Catalan-speaking lands. The one flame lights several torches which are distributed throughout the. The Flama del Canigó ritual is gradually becoming more popular and more established. The Flama del Canig is a symbolic declaration of Catalan culture and identity.
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