Speaking calendar/Las Bolas de Fuego
August 31st · Tradition & Risk

Las Bolas de Fuego

An incredible festival held in the town of Nejapa, El Salvador, where participants throw balls of fire at each other! This tradition commemorates a volcanic eruption from 1922 and the protection offered by the local saint. Today, we debate the psychology of risk-taking, the fine line between tradition and danger, and why some communities choose to keep extreme rituals alive in a modern world focused on safety.

SPEAKING LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities
01 / LET’S TALK

Speaking Discussion

  1. Would you ever participate in a festival where fire was being thrown? Why or why not?
  2. Why do humans find controlled danger (like extreme sports or fire festivals) so exciting and addictive?
  3. In your country, is there any tradition that would be considered dangerous by outsiders?
  4. Should the government have the right to ban traditions if they are deemed too risky for the public?
  5. How does participating in a dangerous ritual together help to strengthen the bonds within a community?
  6. Is our modern world becoming too safe and losing the excitement of ancient, raw traditions?
02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Activity 1: The Safety Inspector

The Task: You are a Safety Consultant hired to make las bolas de fuego slightly safer without destroying the tradition.

What two changes will you propose? How will you convince the locals?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "I think taking risks is a part of human nature because..."
  • "A tradition that should never be changed is..."
  • "In my opinion, the most exciting type of festival is..."