The first midsummer fire on Canigou in modern times was lit on 23 June 1955 by Francois Poujade and fellow USAP rugby fanatics – both to celebrate his birthday and Perpignan’s victory over FC Lourdes in the Yves du Manoir Challenge cup.

L’Ascension is the 40th day after Easter, ten days before Pentecost Sunday and marks the day that Jesus is believed to have ascended to heaven following his crucifixion and resurrection.

You may already know that the donkey is the symbol of Catalonia, French and Spanish, whilst the bull is the unofficial national symbol of Spain, but do you know how it all started?

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