August 23rd, 2016. Sitges, Spain: Members of 'Diables de Sitges - Colla Vella' gather to enlighten their fireworks during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. August 23rd, 2013: A group of friends gather under the "Drac (dragon) de Sitges" for a photo as sets off his fireworks at the "Festa Major de Sitges".
September 17th, 2016. Sitges, Spain: A fire-eater of the 'Diables de Terrassa' enlightens the fireworks of his gathered comrades during Sitges' little 'Festa Major', 'Santa Tecla'
August 21st, 2014. Barcelona, Spain: Children in devil costumes dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the "Correfocs" at the "Festa Major de Gracia".
Barcelona, Spain. September 20th, 2015: Participants dressed in devil costumes set off their fireworks during the "Correfocs" run at the 2015 Merce festival in Barcelona.
August 21st, 2014. Barcelona, Spain: Children in devil costumes dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the "Correfocs" at the "Festa Major de Gracia".
Barcelona, Spain. September 21st, 2014: A devil shouts as he sets off his fire crackers dancing in the street during the Merce 2014
Barcelona, Spain. 11 February, 2017: A fire beast sets off its fireworks while it is carried through Barcelona's gothic quarter during the 'correfocs' (fire-runs) at the city's winter festival 'Santa Eulalia' 2017
Barcelona, Spain. 21 August, 2016: Children in devil costumes dance to traditional drums beneath exploding fireworks during the 'correfocs' fire-runs at the end of the Festa Major de Gracia.
September 17th, 2016. Sitges, Spain: A member of 'Diables de Sitges - colla jove' sets off his fireworks during Sitges' little 'Festa Major', 'Santa Tecla'
September 17th, 2016. Sitges, Spain: A fire-eater of the 'Diables de Terrassa' enlightens the fireworks of his gathered comrades during Sitges' little 'Festa Major', 'Santa Tecla'
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2017: Members of 'Diables de Sitges - colla jove' set off their fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2017: A member of 'Diables de Sitges' sets off his fireworks as he walks an ancient lane during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2017: Tens of thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolome' church taking place every 23rd of August during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2017: Tens of thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolome' church taking place every 23rd of August during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 24 August, 2017: Members of 'Diables de Sitges - colla jove' set off their fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
August 23rd, 2016. Sitges, Spain: A member of 'Diables de Sitges - colla jove' sets off his fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 24 August, 2016: A member of 'Ball de diables' sets off his fireworks as he walks down the 'Escalera de Punta' during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Barcelona, Spain. 25 September, 2017: Tens of thousands crowed into Avinguda Maria Cristina to follow the traditional Pyromusical Show, a synchronized combination of firework displays, the magic water fountains and music at the end of Barcelona's city holiday 'La Merce'
Barcelona, Spain. 25 September, 2017: Tens of thousands crowed into Avinguda Maria Cristina to follow the traditional Pyromusical Show, a synchronized combination of firework displays, the magic water fountains and music at the end of Barcelona's city holiday 'La Merce'
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2017: Tens of thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolome' church taking place every 23rd of August during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2015: A member of 'Diables de Sitges - colla jove' sets off his fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2015: The 'Aliga (Eagle) de Sitges', a folkloric symbol, sets off his fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 23 August, 2015: Thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolomé' church taking place every 23rd of August during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 24 August, 2015: The 'Aliga (Eagle) de Sitges', a folkloric symbol, sets off his fireworks as he walks down the stairs of the 'St Bartolome Church' during the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Sitges, Spain. 22 September, 2016: Thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolome' church taking place during the 'Santa Tacla Festival' in Sitges.
Sitges, Spain. 22 September, 2016: Thousands follow the traditional display of fireworks at the 'San Bartolome' church taking place during the 'Santa Tacla Festival' in Sitges.
A member of 'Diables de Sitges - Colla Vella' sets off his fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
About me
Matthias Oesterle
Matthias Oesterle is a German photographer based between Barcelona and Menorca.
He began working in documentary photography in 2011 while covering the 15-M protests in Barcelona. Since then, his work has developed toward long-term documentation of social and cultural life across Spain.
Before focusing on photography, he spent nearly two decades in visual communication, including work as an On-Air designer for Germany’s largest private television news network and later as Art Director at a leading Spanish advertising agency. This background continues to inform his structured approach to composition and colour.
Working predominantly with short focal lengths, he seeks proximity and immersion, aiming to document events from within rather than from a distance.
In recent years his work has increasingly centred on traditions, rituals and popular festivals — particularly correfocs, casteller performances and regional celebrations across Spain. His interest lies in how these collective practices express identity, continuity and community life in contemporary society.
His photographs have been published internationally in media including The Guardian, National Geographic, Le Monde, EL País, The Wall Street Journal, and other
He continues to work on long-term photographic projects documenting cultural traditions and public rituals across Spain.