10 things you should know about the Fallas of Valencia

10 things you should know about the Fallas of Valencia

If you are visiting the Fallas for the first time, pay attention to what we tell you. Get ready to immerse yourself in an explosion of color, music and tradition with the arrival of the Fallas of Valencia, one of the most emblematic and awaited festivities of the Spanish calendar. Every year, during the month of March, the city is transformed into a stage full of joy and creativity, where the monumental fallas conquer hearts and awaken smiles.

The Fallas of Valencia were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 30, 2016. Thus recognizing the cultural, artistic and social importance of the Fallas, as well as their role in the transmission of traditions and values through generations.

Although the main days of Las Fallas are celebrated from March 16 to 19, with more than 700 monuments (both large and children's) adorning the entire city, in reality, the festival begins much earlier. From March 1, every day there are Fallas activities going on.

The origin of the Fallas.

The beginning of the modern Fallas dates back to the 18th century, when the carpenters of Valencia burned on the eve of St. Joseph's Day (March 19) the wooden "parotas" that they used to hold the lamps that lit them during the winter. These parotas, called "falles" in Valencian, were decorated with old clothes, ornaments and useless objects. Over time, the tradition evolved into the making of monuments of papier-mâché and other combustible materials, known as "ninots", which are burned as a symbolic way of cleaning and renewing, as well as commemorating the feast of St. Joseph.

Who organizes the Fallas?

The Fallas are organized by numerous Fallas commissions throughout the city. These commissions are groups of people who come together to celebrate this holiday and carry out various activities throughout the year. Each fallera commission is in charge of erecting a falla grande and a falla infantil, as well as participating in the official program of events. They also organize their own activities, such as concerts, paella contests and parades. The members of these commissions finance the costs of the festival through their dues and are usually headquartered in a place called "casal", which is not open to the general public.

The "ninots".

The "ninots" are figures made of cardboard, wood, cork, plaster and other materials, representing a wide range of subjects, from historical and political figures to humorous figures and social criticism.

These ninots are usually quite large, often reaching several meters in height and are mostly made using traditional craft techniques.

They are displayed throughout the week of the Fallas in the streets of Valencia, where the public can admire their creativity and detail. At the end of the week, the "cremà" is celebrated, an event in which all the fallas are burned.

Only two are saved from the fire, one in the category of large fallas and one in the children's category. They are the "ninots indultats", which have received more votes from the public for their ingenuity, creativity and technical skill, and that each year will be part of the Fallas Museum that we recommend you to visit.

The firecrackers.

Gunpowder and fire are essential elements of Valencian culture. During the Fallas, it is common to hear firecrackers and firecrackers constantly in the streets. This is our way of expressing joy, with events such as the "despertà" (where firecrackers are launched in the morning to start the day), the "mascletà" in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2 p.m. from March 1 to 19, which you can't miss, and the impressive fireworks castles that light up the nights of Valencia during the festivities.

The Offering.

There are other important Fallas events during the Fallas festivities. It is worth mentioning the offering of flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados, which is carried out by thousands of falleros and falleras on March 17 and 18. They go through the center of the city carrying bouquets of flowers with which an impressive mantle is created for a gigantic sculpture of the Virgin, located in the Plaza de la Virgen, which you can visit in the following days.

The fritters.

Valencia is famous for paella, and during the Fallas, many Fallas committees prepare it in the street in the traditional way, using firewood. However, the typical Fallas food is pumpkin fritters. You can find numerous stalls that make them scattered throughout the streets of the city.

The city in Fallas.

To move around Valencia during the Fallas, forget the car. Many streets are closed due to the monuments in the streets and the activities of the Fallas commissions during the holidays. Although public transport is reinforced, walking is usually the best option.

La “cremà”.

Durante la noche del 19 al 20 de marzo, Valencia se convierte en una gran hoguera al arder todos los monumentos a la vez, pero no te preocupes, no hay ningún peligro. Los monumentos se queman de forma controlada con la presencia de bomberos que previamente han elaborado un plan de intervención según sea necesario, evitando así cualquier peligro.

After the fire.

After a few days of hustle and bustle, street music, firecrackers and a great life in the streets, on March 20 you will wake up, you will feel the silence as something strange. By magic, the monuments will disappear from the streets and everything will return to normal, thanks to a great cleaning device.

The spirit of the Fallas.

The Fallas of Valencia represent much more than colorful ephemeral sculptures. They are a reflection of the constant spirit of renewal of the Valencians, who dedicate the whole year to perfecting their works, reinventing creativity and maintaining the local culture. When the time comes for the burning, the fire not only consumes the figures, but also symbolizes the renewal, the detachment of the old to make way for the new.

Costa de Valencia, Spanish language school.

During the Fallas celebrations in Valencia, at Costa de Valencia, Spanish language school, we create a socio-cultural program so that our students can immerse themselves in every aspect of this festivity: from the "mascletàs" and the fireworks, to the traditional parades, the floral offerings to the Virgin, the visits to the Fallas monuments and the open-air concerts.

The Fallas are a unique experience not to be missed!