Valencia Trader

Las Fallas - The Triumph of Fire

The Valencia Fallas festivity burns away winter worries in a tribute to spring.  As a pagan ritual originating in ancient Meditarranean cultures brought to the shores of Valencia in remote times, this artistic display totally transforms the city during what is called "Fallas Week".  True to the saying, only those who have actually seen it can believe it.

Some 700 fallas, or large and small papier-mache monuments mounted over wood frames, are burnt to cinders on the 19th March in a tribute to St Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, and to the coming of the spring solstice. It is a ritual recovered from pre-Christian times which the Catholic church now rightfully claims as its own, paying homage to Our Lady of the Forsaken, the city's patron saint.

A falla (the monument itself) originated from the wooden candleholders, called "parots" or "pelmodos" that city carpenters used in their workshops during the winter, bringing them out into the streets in the spring and burning them up in a night-time celebration. It was customary to adorn these "stands" with old clothes and even to place masks over them to imitate some local character.  They would then be immolated to celebrate the coming of warm weather.  

The "parot" then was converted into a humerous character known as a "ninot" from the word meaning something like "a doll, a grotesque figurine, a chump".  They were made in an ironic tone to look like local authority figures, clergymen, ladies and squires etc. 

Although some "ninots" are saved from the flames by popular vote, fallas artists also get together to rescue other characters or figurines or even whole sections of a monument.  These unburnt representations can be seen at the Fallas Guild Museum.  It is located in the quarter of the city known as Cuidad Fallera with workshops and factory bays.  Work continues here throughout the year in preparation for the spring festivity.

The atmosphere in Valencia during the Fallas symbolises the flowering gardens and orchards in the spring.  Marching bands play from morning till night and the day is started with bangers and rockets "la desperta" the "wake up" fireworks. From the 1st March the noisy displays called the "mascleta" are staged at 14.00 every day in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

The fallas festivity has always included a flower offering to Our Lady of the Forsaken since 1945.  Two afternoons are dedicated to the parades composed of all the Fallas Commissions, headed by the Fallas Queens and their Courts of Honour. Traditional costumes are worn and baskets full of flowers are carried. 

Guarded by the Miguelete tower, the Plaza de la Virgen is transformed into a flower garden during the offering.  The facade of the basilica becomes a floral tapestry that covers the entire wall, giving shape to a huge representation of Our Lady.  

Info: Turisme Generalitat Valenciana

The Valencia Trader will be covering Las Fallas 2011 in Valencia with more articles, pictures and stories. If you are considering visiting Fallas 2011 then you need to start thinking about booking your flights and accommodation now. Enjoy!

For accommodation go to: - Hotels Valencia