San Sebastian, pattern of fire and bread

On the eve of the 20th and 23rd, the festival of the patrons of Olula del Río, San Sebastián and San Ildefonso, a festival declared of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia in 1998, is celebrated.

The inhabitants of Olula are dedicated to collecting firewood and covering their facades since on the 19th and the 22nd, during the night, the great fire festival begins, where neighbors, protected and covered their bodies, are engaged, in a tour mainly by the old town of the town, to throw thousands of carts creating a spooky aspect of gunpowder and fire.

Previously they have lit lights in strategic points of the route, although at the moment each district organizes its own bonfires. Once the wheelbarrow roll is over, the food festival begins, as the red embers are grilled with sausages, sausages, chops, potatoes and drunk until almost daytime.

On the 20th, the day of San Sebastián, is commemorated with a very peculiar procession that begins with the departure of the Saints from the Old Church and, giving their place to San Ildefonso, both Saints are processioned through the streets of the town where they are thrown and roscones from the balconies, windows and terraces through which they pass.

These roscos are only made for this occasion, being a promise or tradition to throw them to the Saints. The crowd that accompanies the Saints tries to catch the donuts in the air and they keep them in the waist, where they have formed a kind of sack around their body. The day of San Ildefonso is celebrated the same ritual. On eve, wheelbarrows, and the next day the procession of the roscos. Only this time it is San Ildefonso who, out of courtesy, gives his post to San Sebastian.