Fire runners dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the 'Festa Major de la Sagrada Familia'.
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".
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. 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
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'.
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: 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.
Fire runners in devil costumes dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the 'Correfocs' (fire-runs) at Barcelona's winter city festival 'Santa Eulalia' 2026'
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.
Fire runners in devil costumes charge to drumbeats through a spray of sparking firecrackers in the ‘Correfocs’ at Barcelona’s iconic ‘Festa Major de Gracia.’
A member of 'Diables de Sitges - Colla Vella' sets off his fireworks among the crowd of spectators at the 'Festa Major de Sitges'.
Barcelona, Spain. 25 May, 2024: Fire runners in devil costumes gather to enlighten their stick mounted firecrackers celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 'Diables de les Corts'
Barcelona, Spain. 25 May, 2024: A fire runner dances to traditional drums under fireworks celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 'Diables de les Corts'
Barcelona, Spain. 25 May, 2024: A fire runner dances to traditional drums under fireworks celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 'Diables de les Corts'
Sitges, Spain. 5 July, 2024: A fire runner dances to traditional drums under sparks during some 'correfocs' in Sitges
Sitges, Spain. 5 July, 2024: A fire runner dances to traditional drums under sparks during some 'correfocs' in Sitges
A fire runner in a devil costume dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the 'Correfocs' (fire-runs) at Barcelona's winter city festival 'Santa Eulalia' 2025
Little fire runners in devil costumes gather to enlighten their fireworks during the children 'correfocs' (fire-runs) at Barcelona's winter city festival 'Santa Eulalia' 2025
Little fire runners in devil costumes dance to traditional drums under fireworks during the children 'Correfocs' (fire-runs) at Barcelona's winter city festival 'Santa Eulalia' 2026'
About me
Matthias Oesterle
Matthias Oesterle is a German documentary photographer based between Barcelona and Menorca.
His work focuses on people, place and tradition, with a particular interest in the gestures, rituals and everyday moments that shape community life. Working close to his subjects, he seeks proximity and immersion, documenting events and lived environments from within rather than from a distance.
He began working in documentary photography in 2011 while covering the 15-M protests in Barcelona. Since then, his practice has developed toward long-term documentation of social and cultural life across Spain, especially in rural and traditional communities where identity, continuity and belonging are expressed through collective practices.
In recent years, his work has increasingly centred on traditions, rituals and popular festivals — including correfocs, casteller performances and regional celebrations across Spain. Beyond the spectacle of public events, he is drawn to the human structures behind them: preparation, inherited knowledge, domestic thresholds, shared effort, humour, fatigue and moments of connection between generations.
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, colour and visual storytelling.
His photographs have been published internationally in media including The Guardian, National Geographic, Le Monde, Paris Match, El País and The Wall Street Journal.
He continues to work on long-term photographic projects documenting cultural traditions, public rituals and the communities that sustain them.