Las Fallas, Valencia is one of the most unique and popular festivals celebrated in this lively Spanish city. Revelers light up the city with fireworks in this 5 day festival that had initially started as the feast of St Joseph. The fiesta stands as one of the strong edifices, reflecting the lively culture and tradition of the city.
Although several stories are concocted on the origin of the Las Fallas, Valencia, the truth still remains murky and buried in time. According to popular legends, this Valencia festival was celebrated by the carpenters as St Joseph’s Day since the Middle Ages. St Joseph or Jose was the popular patron saint of the city and this day is celebrated all over the country as Father’s Day. Other legends have it that the tradition of bursting and lighting fires is in itself a pagan tradition that could not be banned due to its popularity.
Day of the Fiesta
The literal meaning of Las Fallas is fire. Enormous models of wood, wax and papier mache are constructed in various parts of the city and set fire on the night of March 19, the day of La Crema. These
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models are usually caricatures of the political leaders and social activists of the city. Also known as ninots, these huge models sometimes also depict satirical scenes and popular stories. The whole city participates in the festival while the neighborhood organizations construct these ninots.
Other Activities
The days of the fiesta, Las Fallas in Valencia, is categorized into seven stages. These include the nomination and proclamation of the Fallas Queens, the Crida, the Exaltation, the Offering of Flowers, the Calvacade of the Ninot, the Planta and the Crema. The daily Mascleta is also an important feature of the festival. A pile of firecrackers are burst in the Plaza Anyuntamiento at 2 P.M daily on the days of the festival. The culmination of the festival arrives with the Crema, a spectacle to behold in the city of Valencia.
A competition on the best made ninots is also held and the one with the most popular votes is saved from the ravages of fire to be preserved in the museum of ninots for a year.
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