World News for Students of English

25-01-2017 15:00

There is a winter festival in one Spanish village when horses and riders jump over bonfires in the streets. People believe that it originated in the Middle Ages as a purification ritual during times of plague. The people kept faith with their heritage, despite criticism from animal rights groups.

One of the riders says that the horses are very intelligent animals. If a horse jumps through the fire and nothing happens, then it can cross smoothly many more times. Even if you borrow his horse and you cannot ride, it will go around the whole village and cross the fires without a single problem.

In recent years, tourism has focused on this country village with crowds coming from across Spain to see the riders in action. One student from Madrid said that it is so beautiful to see how the horses cross the bonfires again and again with such energy and attitude.

Critics argue that the festival is against the national laws on animal protection and public entertainment, but for the moment, this tradition shows no signs of ending.

Difficult words: bonfire (outdoor fire made for a party), purification (a cleaning), plague (an illness that killed many people in the Middle Ages), heritage (traditional beliefs).

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