Ciberfallas International

What to do

Hemisferic

Explore Valencia’s history by visiting the Plaza de la Almoina, a square smack dab in the center of the old town. There you will see the ruins of the city’s ancient civilizations.

Let the City of the Arts and Sciences take your breath away with the beauty of its modern architecture. This large complex, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava in collaboration with Felix Candela, is a sight to behold (and photograph). Get close to the fish at L’Oceanografic, which displays the marine ecosystems of all five continents. Watch the dolphin show at the Dolphinarium, walk through the 30-m long underwater tunnel and enjoy the sights of the third largest aquarium in the world. Read the rest of this entry »

What to eat

Romantics chroniclers mention the smell of sweetmeats and fritters that prevails throughout the festive commemorations. The Fallas are fed on pumpkin fritters, it might be said. These sweet “buñuelos”, or fritters, can be accompanied by a drink of the famous “horchata”, or tiger-nut milk, in “horchaterías”, or hot chocolate in “chocolaterías”, because it is precisely these two drinks that traditionally accompany this feast. From the wee hours of the morning, the music never stops, nor are the lights turned off, and the fritters keep piling up for all hungry feasters in ancientlooking shops with their typical mirror walls, and marble or ceramic chequerboard floors. These still survive in the heart of the old guild quarters of Valencia, around the Plaza de la Virgen, Plaza Doctor Collado and the Santa Catalina church.

Buñuelos

Buñuelos. Traditionally eaten during the Fallas, these yummy fritters are a treat that should not be missed. Made from flour, water and yeast, buñuelos are perfect with hot chocolate. Enjoy them at an horchateria or open-air stalls. Read the rest of this entry »

The Central Fallas Association J.C.F.

(Junta Central Fallera) The Central Fallas Association, a Valencia City Council body that coordinates the Fallas festivity throughout the city.

The president, together with a wide team of assistants, is in charge of this coordination, in order to celebrate a succesful Fallas festival.

It is made up of the following

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Museo Fallero

If you are not here for Las Fallas, here is your chance to get a very good idea of what it is (although Museum of the Fallero Artist is better, but further). This festival, internationally known, is unique to Valencia and so spectacular and strange that your visit will be incomplete without having a taste of it, whatever time of year you come. Every year one ninot (a figurine of a falla) is saved from fire and placed into this museum. They are so well made, that it is like being in the wax museum of Madamme Tussauds, only much more amusing (the fallas are traditionally humorous). It is also an interesting insight into the Valencian psyche, as the figures are saved by the popular vote. You will see representatives from the last 80 years of Las Fallas, as well as atmospheric posters, pictures of the best fallas and portraits of Fallera Mayor. If your Spanish is good, there are also sections on the history of the festival, on how the fallas are made, and even a model of mascleta (pyrotechnics). A 10 min video will show you all the major aspects of Las Fallas, from assembly and costumes to fireworks and the night of burning. Read the rest of this entry »

Museum of the Guild of Fallas Artists in Valencia, Spain
Museo de Artistas Falleros, Gremio de Artistas Falleros

Museo del Artista Fallero

On the Northern outskirts of Valencia lies the City of Fallero Artists – a deeply Valencian district where many of the Fallas are produced in the workshops by the best in the trade. The Guild of Fallero Artists have their own museum there, in contrast to the official Museo Fallero. It is actually a more interesting museum and it’s a shame it is so far. Many, many more ninots from the Fallas, and more radical ones (since they don’t have to appease anyone to win the first prize).

A fascinating exhibition of every first prize winner over XX century lets you see how the themes of the Fallas have evolved. Read the rest of this entry »

“Falles o Treballes?”

Pedro Santaeulalia, with his project "Falles? o Treballes?".

As regards the largest monument, Pedro Santaeulalia show us on this occasion his project “Falles? o Treballes?”. The design is this and his brother will be on everyone who works in the world of fallas.

Two main figures representing two of our party classic professions, a bunyolera and a coheter “rocket” to reach the finish 20 meters in height. I accompany two children, a symbol of the future of fallas, which are enjoying chocolate and buñuelos.

The different scenes with 40 ninots we show how the month of March arrives and the town prepares to celebrate their big festival, the fallas and neighbors and enjoy Falleros are available on the street. Both make it possible to take as long as possible.

So enjoy all that the fallas are offered: Monuments of ephemeral art, music, fireworks, food, beauty, environment, street, etc … to everyone. Everyone? No, not all. There are others who, on the contrary, those days are devoted to work.

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Sketch 2010 municipal monument child

Jose Luis Ceballos and Francisco Sanabria are responsible for conducting the 2010 municipal monument child. After the show in 2008 with our traditional festivals “Una ciutat en plena festa” and let us know the “Valencia 1909″ past fallas are still in line choosing teaching as a central theme of the city’s museums for “Entra i voràs”.

In recent years, our city has experienced a large increase in the number of museums and cultural centers, hosting over 30 at present. Their fields are very disparate and mingle among the classics of art, modern science, with the holidays and ethnographic or dedicated to nature, which means that Valencia is a cultural attraction.

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Pedro Santaeulalia and Ceballos and Sanabria, built 2010 municipal fallas

Pedro Santaeulalia, con su proyecto "Falles? o Treballes?".

The jury unanimously chose the projects “Falles? o Treballes?“ y “Entra i voràs“

On April 3 the deadline for submission of sketches for the conduct of municipal fallas 2010, three projects put forward for a big falla and two for children. The competition this year includes a budget of 230,000 euros for the large monument and 29,000 euros for children.

On Wednesday, April 8 to 13 “15 hours in the Press Room of the City, the jury composed of the elected people’s Lourdes Bernal, Francisco Lledó, Félix Crespo and Pilar Calabuig socialist as well as the general secretary of JCF, Vincente Fayos, announced the winners sketches.

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There are several cavalcades in the city centre during the Fallas Fiesta, adding a touch of colour, excitement and visual impact. Each one has its own spirit and presents a different proposition for tourists and locals alike:

- The “Cabalgata del Ninot”: this is a parody parade where the participating Committees dress up to portray famous personalities or current events in a critical or satiric way, playing with double meanings, or even provocation. This parade takes no political sides and has no taboos: any institution, person or event currently in the public eye can become the subject of criticism. As a result, it is seen as a Falla on the move with its “human Ninots”. Read the rest of this entry »

Castillo Photo:Josep V. Zaragoza

Valencia is a land of pyrotechnics. There is barely an event held in this region, whether public or private, a popular celebration or a simple family meeting, that isn’t accompanied by the noise and smell of gunpowder.

The Fallas, as the prime example of a popular Valencian fiesta, has a highly varied programme of fireworks displays: from daytime “mascletàs” (see the section referring to them) to ever-more creative and exciting pyrotechnical shows taking place at night, starting from the 15th March, in the old Turia riverbed; specifically, between the Puente de la Exposición – called “La Peineta” (The Comb) by locals – and the Puente de las Flores.

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