The Fallas of Valencia. We tell you everything about this magnificent party. The most exciting week for Valencians is finally here. The Valencia Fallas are here! Wait a moment… You still don't know what the Fallas of Valencia are? They are the official holidays of the province of Valencia… and
It finally arrives the week most exciting for Valencians. ¡The Fallas of Valencia They are already here!
Wait a minute... You still don't know What are the Fallas of Valencia??
They are the official holidays of the province of Valencia…and one of the best parties in the world!
Are you curious to know all the details about this party in depth?
Then stay with us. In this article you will learn all about the Fallas. Let's talk about:
Let the fireworks begin! 🧨
What day do the Fallas of Valencia?
The Fallas officially begin the last sunday of february with the Crida, and ends March 19 with the Cream.
Although really the important days take place from the 15th to the 19th March.
The only holiday is March 19, Saint Joseph's Day.
If you were wondering when are Valencia Fallas 2023, now you know. Every year it's the same days.
During these days, people go out to the streets to celebrate and enjoy the spectacular Fallas monuments and firecrackers.
Visit Valencia in Fallas, you won't regret it!
Do you want to know what what the Fallas of Valencia mean? Where does that party come from? Keep reading 👉
The origin of the Fallas of Valencia It dates back several centuries. The first document that refers to the Fallas is 1774, although it is thought that they already existed before.
The word "failure" has a meaning. It comes from Latin and means "torch».
The most popular theory of the origin of the Fallas is that the carpenters guild lit one purifying bonfire on the eve of the day of his patron saint, Saint Joseph.
This was done as a way to get on the right foot in spring.
Since they were carpenters, the bonfire was made with wood and junk old ones that were no longer useful in their workshops.
The Fallas that we know today are not made of simple wooden junk, right? They are much more sophisticated and impressive.
Next, let's see how this evolution went.
As we have said, at first, these failures were simply a good luck ritual for spring. It doesn't matter what they put on the bonfires.
But little by little this began to change. A was added more aesthetic conception. Some carpenters made simple dolls with the help of neighbors.
The most daring began to add jokes about the people of the neighborhood.
This satirical approach was a success and has now become a tradition. As the years passed, the Fallas were better worked out.
More and more Valencian artists collaborated in the construction of these transgressive sculptures.
What started years ago with a simple burning of furniture had become a new form of art? Well yes.
The oldest falla in Valencia with ninots and a topic just like what is done today, is that of Santa Catalina Square. The first falla of this plaza was planted in 1820.
In 1895 the first awards were made to the most artistic failures. Due to the fervor that these beautiful fallaes aroused, a new profession emerged: the fallero artist.
Today, if we open a map of faults in Valencia, we can see how some are planted 800 monuments in the city of Valencia and another 400 in the rest of the province, in the Valencian towns.
Some of them are considered authentic works of art. The best of all is that they are free, everyone can see them freely in the streets. Valencia becomes an open-air museum for a few days.
In fact, every year millions of tourists from all over the planet They visit Valencia in March attracted to contemplate these beautiful monuments and experience the most beautiful festivals in the world.
Now that you have learned a little about the Fallas and their history, do you want to discover what is done during these days? Pay attention! 😉
Do you know that the Fallas in Spain are considered one of the best festivals? And it doesn't surprise us.
The Failure program is one of the most varied and fun that you can find.
The first event of the Valencia Fallas festival takes place on the last Sunday of February, in the Crida.
Valencians go to one of the most emblematic monuments of the city, the Serrano Towers.
Here, the fallera mayor and the mayor of the city give a speech of openness to the Fallas, or, as they say in Valencian, The Falles of Valencia.
This is the beginning of a whirlwind of street parties in which the fire and noise They are the main protagonists.
Some of the most notable events from Valencia in Fallas are:
We assume that you don't understand many of the words we just wrote. It's because they are in Valencian, that's why they are in italics.
But don't worry, throughout the article we are going to explain each of these points in detail and you will understand perfectly. what is done in the Fallas of Valencia.
We imagine that you can now get an idea of what the Valencia Fallas consist of.
You know that sculptures are put up all over the city and burned. Let's go a little deeper into the figures of the Valencia Fallas.
These figures are called ninots. They are the dolls or pieces that make up a fault.
These sculptures are placed in the streets from March 15. This day is called the day of the plant.
Are faults put on all the streets of Valencia? Nooo, that would be crazy. People could hardly even walk 😆
Although as we have said before, the number of failures in Valencia capital is approximately 800.
That means that practically each neighborhood has its own fault.
In the Fallas of Valencia, the Cream It is the farewell to the holidays.
After more than 20 days of Fallas celebrations, the Fallas always end in the most spectacular and dramatic way at the same time: the burning of the Fallas sculptures.
¿When the faults burn?
In the night of March 19, all the faults burn at the same time. If you have seen videos or photos of the Valencia Fallas during the Cream, you will already know that the sky of Valencia is enveloped in a rain of smoke and ashes.
There are some faults that reach up to 20 meters high. Can you imagine what the bonfire in these monuments must be like? A true spectacle that you have to see at least once in your life.
¿At what time do the Valencia Fallas burn??
Children's fallaes are usually burned between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., while adult fallaes are burned between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m..
The last failure to burn is always that of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
At what time do they burn the failure of the Valencia City Council?
Since it is the last one, it is usually between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m..
Maybe you're wondering if failures take a long time to catch fire. The truth is no, some burn in just a few minutes.
To burn them, very powerful firecrackers and gasoline are used, which cause the materials that make up the fallaes to burn immediately.
¿What the Valencia Fallas are made of?
The main material used is expanded polystyrene, better known as white cork.
It is a very malleable material that can take many forms. Furthermore, It is very flammable, that's why it burns so easily. They also have other flammable materials such as paper, cardboard or wood.
With the Cream The firecrackers, the festivals, the parades and all the Fallas celebrations are over. Valencia returns to normal.
For many people, seeing the Valencia Fallas burning is a very sad moment.
It's hard to get used to life without Fallas again, or rather, to boring life without Fallas 😝
There are many who cry when they see their ninots Favorites dissolve in the flames. Although luckily, not all of them disappear.
There are two ninots they are saved! They are the ninots pardoned. You will soon understand what these are. ninots.
The exhibition of ninot It takes place before the holidays even begin.
In these Fallas 2023, the exhibition has been open since February 2 in the museum of the City of Arts and Sciences.
And, do you know what is best? Tomorrow is the last day of the exhibition, so if you still don't know what to do at today's Fallas events in Valencia... run to visit the exhibition!
Why do we so strongly recommend that you see it? because here the best are exhibited ninots of each failure.
Each Falla in Valencia selects its favorite ninot and shows it to the public at the Exhibition. ninot.
What is the purpose of all this? Save your ninot from the bonfire!
The jury of the Central Fallera Board and the public that attends the exhibition vote on the ninot who want it to be saved.
both ninots most voted are taken to Fallero Museum of Valencia and there they will remain forever 🙌🏻´
Those are the ninots pardoned.
Didn't you know that you could vote to save your ninot favorite? How interesting! TRUE?
The Fallas monuments are the basis of these festivals. But, without a doubt, they would not be the same without the firecrackers nor the fireworks.
Noise and fire are the perfect elements that make the Fallas even more attractive.
During the Fallas, firecrackers are allowed and every citizen can buy them. There are some that are super big and the truth is that they look a little scary. Although we Valencians are used to it.
The most important Fallas acts related to the firecrackers are mascletàs.
From March 1st to March 19th, in the Valencia Fallas there are mascletàevery day.
At 2:00 p.m., thousands of people come to the Town Hall Square to enjoy a spectacle of smoke, noise and color.
for 5 minutes, more than 120 kilos of gunpowder They explode frantically.
Get ready to smell the Fallas and to feel one of the most intense experiences of your life.
The mascletà in the Fallas of Valencia It is one of the most popular Fallas acts.
If you are reading this article and it is not yet 2:00 p.m., you still have time to go to today's mascletá in Valencia 😁
The castles They are the other great Fallas pyrotechnic shows.
In the mascletás the experience is obtained through the noise and smell of gunpowder.
On the other hand, in the castles the show is much more relaxing, in which the fireworks colors They are the protagonists.
The castles take place from the night of March 15 to the night of the 19th.
They all tend to throw themselves into the channel of the Turia River, in the area of Palau de les Arts, around 00:00 at night.
If you only have time to see one, we recommend that you go to the Nit del Foc. This is the last great castle and is celebrated on the night of March 18.
These fireworks are the longest, lasting between 20 and 30 minutes.
Did you know that the best pyrotechnicians in the world are Valencian? Now you have no excuses not to go.
At this point, you already know a lot of interesting things to see in the Fallas of Valencia 👌
If you want to be aware of all the Fallas news, you can't miss the parades that take place in the historic center of Valencia.
In these parades you will see many falleros with their beautiful traditional costumes accompanied by festive music.
The most beautiful parades of the Fallas of Valencia are in the Offering of Flowers. They are carried out March 17 and 18.
These days all the falleros go to the Plaza de la Virgen and They dress the statue of the Virgin of the Forsaken with flowers. That's why it's called theFlower offering».
It is a very interesting and emotional event that you cannot miss if you are here during the date of the Valencia Fallas.
In the photo you can see the first prize winning falla the failures of Valencia 2022. It was the failure of the Convent of Jerusalem.
The Fallas artists work on their Fallas all year round. That effort is rewarded with prizes.
There are many types of prizes in the failures. The most notable are:
They are the prizes given to the best fails. They are the main prizes, awarded to the most beautiful and spectacular fallaes.
These prizes are given to the funniest and most ingenious fails.
In recent years there has been a rise in experimental failures. These failures are usually more discreet, but have a strong critical and intellectual message.
Many times the pieces are abstract and it is difficult to understand the message. It would be something like the contemporary art of failures.
Is it advisable to see all the failures?
As we have told you before, there are more than 800 fallaes throughout Valencia, so it is almost impossible to see them all.
That's why we are going to help you select. Some of the most important faults of Valencia they are always around the city center.
But the center of Valencia is very big, so you will have to walk quite a bit if you want to see them all.
We recommend that you dedicate at least one entire afternoon to a leisurely stroll through the center and enjoy the fallaes.
These walks will be a delight, you'll see 😉
Do you want to know what are the best failures of Valencia? We name them for you!
These are the failures that usually receive the best awards. They have a lot of budget and some are huge and full of details. They will leave you with your mouth open.
They are named after the streets in which they are located. It won't be difficult for you to find them.
The majority are for new area of the center, Ruzafa and Gran Vía.
Did you know that Fallas artists also make childhood failures? In fact, each adult failure is accompanied by another childhood failure, so there are the same number of adult failures as there are childhood failures.
What are childhood failures?
The children's ones differ in that They are much smaller, they are surrounded very easily and do not usually exceed 4 meters in height.
They are intended for children, that's why ninots are usually very pretty and colorful, like something out of a fairy tale.
Here there is usually not as much satirical or ideological message as in adult fallas.
However, just because they are childish failures does not mean that they are of worse quality. There are children's fails that are authentic works of art and sometimes even surpass their adult counterpart.
They are also delivered awards for the best children's failures. The most notable awards are:
Food in the Fallas has an essential role. The two delicacies that we eat during these holidays are:
During the month of March, the streets of Valencia are filled with street stalls They sell delicious churros and buñuelos with hot chocolate.
Don't you know what they are? We tell you!
Churros are a fried dough made of water, flour, oil and salt. They have the shape of ties or canes.
The classic churro is like that, although there are also some filled with cream, dulce de leche, chocolate... or coated in sugar or chocolate.
The combination of churros with a cup of hot chocolate It is simply masterful, your sense of taste will thank you eternally.
You can't take a trip to the Valencia Fallas without trying them.
Fritters are something similar, but the fried flour dough takes on a round shape and voluminous. This is achieved by adding a filling of milk, egg or yeast.
We can't think of a better plan than to enjoy some delicious fritters with hot chocolate after a long day of walking Fallas.
As you can imagine, these foods are not exactly at the base of the food pyramid 😆
But the Valencian Fallas are only one week a year so... enjoy!
As in all ancient festivals, the Fallas of the Valencian Community have their traditional clothing; the falleros costumes for both men and women.
The fallera costume of woman It is the most impressive.
This suit consists of a fitted bodice decorated with an embroidered mantelet decorated with gold thread that is placed on the shoulders and covers the back in a triangle shape.
It is finished with a bow that matches the colors of the suit fabric. The most impressive thing is the skirt that takes on a bell shape, gathered at the waist and is covered with an apron.
The fabric of the skirt and bodice are made of silk fabric embroidered with gold that forms flower patterns.
Without a doubt, it is an impressive traditional dress, one of the richest and most beautiful in Spanish culture.
The fallera costume is usually decorated with floral motifs and can have different accessories, such as jewelry, combs and mantillas.
The man's fallero costume is called "clothing of saragüells».
The costume has a long-sleeved white shirt and a vest made of the same fabric as the fallera costumes.
The pants are baggy and reach to the knee. They are called «panties». They also wear white stockings made of thread and are shod with espardenyes (a type of footwear typical of the region).
The costume is usually decorated with scarves, laces and jewels, and is completed with a sash tied at the waist.
The fallera bodices They are a very important element of the typical costume of the falleras.
The bras are a kind of corset that fits the body and is combined with the skirt and the other accessories that we have described above.
There are bras of different colors and models, this is what makes the most difference between the different fallera costumes.
If you are interested in everything we are telling you, in the Valencia Fallas Museum You will enjoy like a child.
This museum houses a large collection of ninots pardonsfor decades. Those who are saved from the bonfire, you can see them here!
Also shown is the traditional Valencian clothing and other elements related to the festival, such as bands, photographs and old Valencia Fallas posters.
In addition, the museum has a section dedicated to history and evolution of the Fallas over time, from its origins to the present.
The museum also has a specialized library on issues related to the Fallas.
It is located in the Montolivet Square, very close to the City of Arts and Sciences.
You can enter the Valencia Fallas Museum for a price of 2 euros or free on Sundays or holidays.
What are you waiting for? You have to visit it now! 😁
In addition to everything mentioned, there are other very important elements in the Fallas.
These elements are especially crucial for good organization and execution of these holidays. These elements are:
The Fallera Central Board It was created in 1939. The headquarters is next to the Fallero Museum.
It is the organization that is responsible for regulate and organize the Fallas festival in the province of Valencia and in some of its towns.
Organize the main acts of the party, like the Offering of Flowers to the Virgin.
Other functions it performs are resource managementnecessary for the celebration of the party, supervision of the Fallas commissions and the promotion of the festival at a national and international level.
In addition, each year it also selects the Fallera Mayor of Valencia and deliver the prizes to the best fails of all categories.
The Fallera Mayor of Valencia She is the young woman chosen to represent the Fallas throughout the province. There is also a children's major fallera.
Each year a different major fallera is chosen.
What falla is the Fallera Mayor of Valencia this year 2023? This year the Fallera Mayor is from the L’Antiga Campanar fault.
And what falla is the Fallera Mayor Infantil de Valencia? It is from the Azcárraga-Fernando el Católico fault.
The fallas commissions They are another of the pillars for the functioning of these festivals.
They are groups of people who They collaborate in the construction of a fault.
Each Falla is supported by its Falla commission. Thanks to these commissions, the money is obtained to build the ninots and have parties in their casales.
Anyone can be part of a fallera commission. To do this, you simply have to pay a monthly or annual amount of money.
Surely on some streets you have seen people wearing a jacket of the same color, they celebrate inside enormous tents white and sing some song from the Fallas of Valencia.
They seem to be having a great time, right?
There are failures that really have many subscribers, also called falleros.
These are the ones that can afford to create the biggest and most impressive failures.
Some even organize outdoor parties with verbenas and orchestras.
What is the fails with more falleros from Valencia? To this day, The Fallera Commission Glory-Happiness-Tremolar It is the one with the most Falleros with 1,180 subscribers.
In the entire city of Valencia there are almost 93,500 falleros 😯
That high figure reflects how important the Fallas are to us.
By now you know who they are. Fallas artists. Thanks to them every year we can enjoy the beautiful Fallas monuments.
The first falleros artists arose at the end of the 19th century, between 1870 and 1890.
The Fallas artists They design, make and assemble the ninots of the failures. They also think about the theme of failure and add a sense of humor.
What a beautiful profession! Don't you think?
In addition, there are other guilds that work on the creation of the fallaes such as carpenters, painters, sculptors or designers.
In the Valencian Community it is estimated that there are around 400 workshops dedicated to the creation of fallas with falleros artists.
As you can imagine, there is a lot of money invested in the Fallas.
How much does a Valencia Falla cost? The cost varies greatly depending on the size, complexity and materials used in its construction.
The biggest failures can costhundreds of thousands of euros, while smaller faults can cost several thousand euros.
The most expensive failure in history was that of Nou Campanar in 2008. It cost 900,000 euros!
Before closing the article, we wanted you to know that the Fallas are a World Heritage Site.
From the year 2016 the Valencia Fallas are Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the UNESCO.
Therefore, these festivals are considered not only of national interest, but also international.
We do not hesitate if we say that the Fallas are of the best parties in the whole world.
And, you know what? In Valencia it is also Hispania, Spanish school…the best Spanish school in the world!
It's not us who say it, but the multitude of institutions that have given us this recognition for consecutive years.
With our face-to-face Spanish courses and our online Spanish courses You can learn Spanish while enjoying the Fallas in Valencia.
Has this article helped you better understand what Fallas are?
Do you already have your Fallas plans? What failures would you like to see?
Post a comment and we'll talk! 😉
Article written by Charles Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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