The Fallas in Valencia

One week ago I had the pleasure of visiting my friend in Spain to take part in an annual event called Fallas! I would like to share my experience and tell you more about this amazing festival.

Each year from the 15th through the 19th of March, Valencia, a city in Spain celebrates Fallas. It’s a huge event which brings people from all over the world to this part of Spain.

Fallas are monuments created during the celebration by using large wooden structures and covered with painted papier-mâché. Fallas are often humorous, caricatures and give ironic visions of local and international problems and themes. During these five days people can admire these amazing figures. There is even an offcial competition for the best Falla. When I saw the monuments for the very first time I was really impressed. They are so huge and astonishing! Have a look.

The best Falla of 2015 – Plaza del Pilar

Me and my spanish friends Inma & Patri

II.place- L’Antiga de Campanar

III.place -Convento de Jerusalén-Matemático Marzal

La Cremà (The Burning)

On the final night of Fallas, around midnight on March 19 (Saint Joseph day), these Fallas are burnt as huge bonfires. This is known as La Cremà (the Burning)- an enormous spectacle of fire and joy. I personally recognize it for the most exciting part of festival. People gather in front of the figure and wait for this special moment which is probably the most popular event internationally and the one that gives the concept of Fallas. For me it was indeed a fascinating and incredible experience to see the figures on fire. How awesome it is that on one single night all monuments which teams of artist have been working on for an entire year, are purposely set on fire.

 source: lewebpedagogique.com

One of the most spectacular burns of the entire night was of the Falla in front of city hall. There were so many people all over the main square that finding a good place to watch was nearly impossible. I was nervous that I would miss the main attraction but finally it didn’t happen, another time Fallas surprised me.

                                                       City of hall Falla 2015-Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Have a look. That’s impressive!

Events during Fallas

Besides La Cremà there are other events that festival in Valencia provides. I would like to describe the most important one.

Mascletà

Every day at 2pm in the City Hall square we could experience the noisy explosions of fireworks, firecrackers and gunpowder. It’s an unbelievable and unique performance. Shortly after the everything is finished the previously crowded square becomes totally empty and it looks like nothing even happened there at all.

People waiting for Mascletà

And we :D

Here you can see what Mascleta looks like.

Fireworks

On the nights of the 15, 16, 17, and 18th there are firework displays on the old riverbed in Valencia. Each night is progressively grander and the last is called La Nit del Foc (the Night of Fire). In my opinion the people in Valencia are definitely masters of pyrotechnics. I have never seen such a tremendous and stunning firework performance. In any case you can’t compare it with Warsaw fireworks for  New Year’s Eve :)
 

 La Ofrenda de flores (The flower offering)

Over the days of 17th and 18th the most religious part of the whole event is taking place. The city is taken over by parades of “Falleras” and “Falleros” dressed up in their best and most colorful traditional costumes. They are bringing flowers to the center of Valencia – to make a huge wooden statue of the Virgin Mary out of them. What is so great about this? That it is indeed a joyful procession with all of those huge groups of colorful people dancing and singing to folk music. It was a really interesting event and I enjoyed watching it. I have to admit that I adore those dresses! I find them very beautiful and to be honest I would like to have one of them in my wardrobe :)

Me and Inma with la Virgen de los Desamparados

Me with “Fallera” and “Fallero”

To summarize Las Fallas is a great event and an unforgettable experience. I encountered a great atmosphere and nice people. It’s hard to describe this feeling when you participate in this kind of event therefore you simply need to see it on your own! Five days and nights of continuous partying. Since I’m into Spain and Spanish culture I’m very happy that I could take part in this festival. I hope that my small review has encouraged you to visit Valencia next year :)

Sources:
www.valencia-cityguide.com
www. valencia.for91days.com
www.fallasfromvalencia.com/