Funka Fireworks

Where I am currently living there is a tradition called funka. This was done right yesterday. The local firefighters and other organizations build a tower out of four upright standing trunks and fill the void inbetween with firewood, junk paper and other burnable stuff I could not identify. On the top of this sort of tower is the funka, a sort of doll filled with fireworks. The below photo shows such a tower being built.



When it is really pitch dark this construction is set on fire and burns like a giant torch and sparks fly all around ("Funken" is the german word for "spark", by the way, and "funka" is the local dialect word for "Funken" but also the verb for "throwing out sparks"). Sorry, no photo from this part, I missed it, was in the kitchen cooking sardines, a in my opinion widely undervalued fish - filet it, dust lightly with flour, a hot pan, olive oil, a pinch of salt and some drops of fresh lemon juice... A dish to die for!

After some time the wooden construction begins to crush down and fall apart shooting sparks all over the sky. Again, sorry, no pictures... The sardines, you know... You have to set priorities...

Then, when you think all is over a firework goes of. I was caught completely on surprise because I have been told previously that only the funka on top of the construction is supposed to explode and had no time to setup the tripod. Most of the shots where garbage at a hand held shutter speed between one and four seconds - but here are some I think are worthwile showing - enjoy!