Las Fallas is a festival that takes place from the 15th until the 19th of March in different towns and cities across Valencia County; the biggest celebrations are held in Valencia City. Also known as the Fiestas Josefinas or Festes de Sant Josep (in Valencian), this festival is celebrated in homage to Saint Joseph, patron saint of the carpenter trade and has been recognised as a festival of international tourist interest. The name fallas describes the fantastical effigy-like constructions, which are eventually set on fire, all of which feature figures – usually people - called “ninots”.

 

The origin of Las Fallas festival lies in an ancient tradition practiced by the city’s carpenters on the eve of Saint Joseph. In front of carpenters’ workshops, in the streets and plazas, useless junk was burnt along with wooden contraptions that were used to hang oil lamps that provided light during the winter months. This is why the dia de la cremà (burning day) – when all the falla monuments are burnt – always takes place on March 19th, to coincide with the festival of Saint Joseph.

 

 

The effigy style falla monuments have evolved over time and are essentially ironic, generally depictng picaresque and satirical scenes. Las Fallas Festival is one of the best-known and most spectacular fire festivals that stems from past centuries characterised by baroque excess. The great monuments, that fuse art and satire in a caricature-like critique of contemporary social and political life, can be found on every street corner.

From March 1st, traditional mascletás can be seen and heard in Valencia, consisting of firecrackers and fireworks set off in synchronised explosions set to music. These displays take place at Plaza del Ayuntamiento during the whole week, as well as outside buildings that belong to different falla associations.

On March 15th, the plantà begins, during which all the falla monuments are placed in position on the street. By eight o’clock, on the morning of the 16th, more than 700 falla monuments are in place, some of which measure over 25 metres in height. Seeing the falla outside the town hall is a must; it is the only falla that is not part of the competition and is the last to be claimed by the inevitable call of flames. Out of the 700 fallas with their thousands of ninots, only one ninot will be saved by vote from being burnt: the ninot indultat – the pardoned figure. The ninot voted as the best by local residents will be taken to the fallas museum, where it will remain with the other ninots that were saved from previous years.

Flowers and the Virgin of the Forsaken dominate the most important event for falla bearers: the Offering, that takes place on the 17th and 18th. Hundreds of falla bearers, dressed in regional costume, parade from their falla monument to the Virgin Basilica, accompanied by brass bands. Once the parade reaches the basilica, an offering of flowers is made to a giant figure known as the Cheperudeta; the flowers are then placed all over her in the shape of a shawl. The oldest falla bearers are the last to make an offering of flowers to the virgin. Later on, the Nit del Foc (Night of Fire) is an event not to be missed, when a fireworks display can be seen over the Alameda, transforming Valencia’s skyline into a spectacular kaleidoscope of explosive colour.
March 19th is the day of the cremá – the burning. It is the last day of the festival, when the cycle is completed and everything ends but starts again. It is a bittersweet time, replete with music, harmony, splendour, fire, noise, sadness and joy. On this day, fire turns reality into dust but, like a phoenix that rises out of the ashes, life begins anew. In Valencia, on this night, people are already imagining next year’s fallas.

 

 

 

 

 

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