Soportújar now has a new monument that will probably scare your socks off; it’s at the entrance to the village in front of the Fuente de San Antonio.

You will now be confronted by a 7-tonne witch, towering three metres high, built, sculptured or conjured up by José Vera. This was to ‘get the feel of things’ for the Night of the Witches on the 9th of this month, which comprised of a fancy-dress competition and a bonfire (queimada).

There was also plenty of dancing in the form of a batucada (type of samba) performed by African witch doctors. Just about every form of black and white magic was also being performed by faith healers, soothsayers, hypnotists and the odd spot of toad kissing…

Yes, the IX Feria del Embrujo went down well, commencing on the 7th and winding up on the 11th, with broomsticks being grounded for the duration.

(News: Soportújar, Alpujarra, Granada, Andalucia)