Las Fallas de Valencia, commonly known as just ‘Fallas’, is a springtime celebration held annually from March 1st to the 19th. It is a one-of-a-kind festival that combines art, satire, and tradition to honour Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Fallas is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and attracts over 2 million people to the city.
Historical Origins and Evolution
Las Fallas traces its origins all the way back to old traditions among Valencian carpenters who would burn leftover wood and old belongings on the eve of Saint Joseph’s Day, marking the end of winter and welcoming spring.
Over time, these simple bonfires evolved into large and intricate artistic structures, known as “fallas”. These structures usually depict satirical scenes including societal or political commentary. Each falla consists of multiple “ninots” (figures), which are carefully crafted from a variety of materials such as wood and papier-mâché. Ninots are extremely detailed, and while most are eventually set on fire at the end of the festival, each year the public votes on the ‘Best Ninot,’ and it is saved… and then placed into the Fallas Museum.
Key Events
The schedule of Fallas is packed with events to showcase Valencia’s rich heritage. While the last 5 days are the busiest, each day from the 1st till the 19th is filled with must-see events.
La Mascletà is an event that takes place daily in the city centre at 2:00 pm during Fallas. A large pyrotechnic show filled with firecrackers and fireworks, La Mascletà is the perfect way for visitors and locals to physically feel the energy of Fallas. Firecrackers are a crucial part of Fallas, the streets are filled with pops and bangs around the clock. While many neighbourhoods have personal shows, nothing beats being in the city centre (March 1st-19th).
La Plantà takes place on the 15th, this marks the setup of the large Fallas monuments throughout the city. These Fallas are satirical monuments created by local artists and communities, they are extremely detailed and large, with some reaching up to 20 metres (March 15th).
La Ofrenda de Flores (The offering of flowers) is one of the most emotional events of the festival. Thousands of falleros and falleras dress in traditional Valencian clothing and travel to the structure of Virgin Mary in Plaza de la Virgen, where people offer flowers and make prayers (March 17th-18th).
As previously mentioned, fireworks are an important part of Fallas and this is seen especially during Nit del Foc (Night of fire on March 18). Indeed, every night at midnight the skies are lit up by fireworks. From the 16th till the 18th, a large firework display is set off to transform the Valencian skyline, many spectators watch from a prime location near to the City of Arts and Sciences (March 16th-18th).
Finally, La Cremà takes place on March 19th, the grand finale of the festival, where all of the fallas (structures) are set on fire. This is a sight unlike anything else in this world–the flames symbolize renewal, marking the end of certain cycles while marking the beginning of others (March 19th) and the beginning of spring.
Conclusion
Las Fallas is an unforgettable cultural experience filled with passion from start to end. The combination of tradition, artistic expression, street parties, and pyrotechnics that engulf Valencia creates an atmosphere unlike anything else. If you are looking for a unique way to experience Valencian culture, make sure that Las Fallas is on your list, it promises to be a thrilling, once in a lifetime experience.
Report by Karwan Ahmed
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Fallas photos copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
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