Las Fallas celebrations are an explosive festival held in Valencia from 15-19th March, though the Fallas officially begin the last Sunday in February. Valencia fills up with joy. As a matter of fact, the whole city (both its streets and neighbourhoods) gets involved in the hustle and bustle of the festival.
Although fire is the protagonist of this festival, there are other important symbols. The present form of the festivities took shape in the 19th century. As for the origin of the festival, it is related to carpenters, who started the tradition of burning their accumulated scraps (shavings, unserviceable wood, junk, etc.) on the feast of St. Joseph, their patron. This is the reason why the festival is also known as “Joseph’s festival” or “festes de Sant Josep”.
At present, sculptures of papier-mâché, polystyrene and wood (enormous monuments called “ninots”) are burnt. The monuments, which are made of diverse materials, usually have a satirical purpose; they poke fun at politicians, celebrities and current events. Some of the largest ones can reach up to 30 metres high.
Las Fallas is a huge festival, in preparation of which artists and craftspeople work all year round. Several major events are part of Las Fallas: the mascletàs (a noisy display of gunpowder explosions) start on 1st March; the plantà (overnight placement of the fallas, which may reach up to 700 monuments, in the streets of the city) takes place during the night from the 15th to the 16th March; a flower offering to the city’s patron, Virgen de los Desamparados; firework castles; and Nit del Foc (literally “The Night of Fire”), the big show that takes place at midnight on the 18th March during which each falla goes up in flames in a fiery explosion called “la cremá”.
Las fallas, one of the most popular and well-known fiestas in Spain, is a joyful festival with masses of traditional costumes, firework exhibitions, music, food and playful events. With few equals worldwide, Las Fallas is a completely unique experience, which is why it was firstly declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest and has recently been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2016).
Rev. PAB 19.12.18