Ciberfallas International

Ninot indultat 2009 (Federico Ferrer) Foto: Ciberfallas.com

The “ninots” are the figures that make up the scenes in the Fallas monuments. At the beginning of February, each commission contributes its best ” ninot ” (just one) to a collective exhibition that is open to the public up to the day of the “plantà” (the finishing touch), when each figure is collected by its commission, during a noisy procession with whistles and brass bands, and taken to the monument it forms a part of.

Each visitor to this exhibition has the chance to choose, from among them all, the “ninot” that he or she likes best: whether because of its originality or its design. When the time comes to close the exhibition, the votes are added up and the “ninot” with the largest number of votes is pardoned: it will have the honour of being the only “ninot” in all of Valencia that, officially, will not burn on the night of the 19th. Read the rest of this entry »

Gremio Artistas Falleros foto:Ciberfallas.com

The enormous number of professionals that depend directly or indirectly on the Fallas Fiesta gives an idea of how large and important it has become for the city.

The role of the “artista fallero” or Fallas artist should be highlighted. This professional is more than a sculptor of huge figures, more than a painter, and more than a carpenter. In fact, the “artista fallero” is a kind of “total artist” who plans the monument in his mind and then gives it shape, assisted by his own team of specialists.. Read the rest of this entry »

Casal Albacete-Marvá

This is the main office and business headquarters of each Fallas Committee. Above and beyond that, though, “El Casal” is the neuralgic centre of the group’s daily frenzy of activity, not just during the Fallas Festival, but also during the rest of the year.

It is there where the Fallas’ financial and business organisation takes place and, when the fiesta arrives, the Casal doors are opened up to locals, tourists and “Falleros” from other commissions to share such a special time with them. Read the rest of this entry »

These are groups in charge of organising and setting up the Fallas Fiesta. They take their names from the intersection of streets or squares where they set up their Fallas monument.
The Committee’s members pay a monthly fee that entitles them to take part in countless activities, competitions, celebrations and events throughout the whole year.

Crida 2006

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Fallera Mayor of Valencia de 2008

The revered figure of the Fallas Queen acquires more importance than the President of the Fallas Commission himself. She is chosen from among the young ladies belonging to the Commission.

She will have her own Court of Honour comprising a selection of graceful young ladies. All this is arranged long before the actual festivity in what is known as the “exaltation”, or the election of the Adult and Child Queens and their Courts. Read the rest of this entry »

The "plantà"

This is a term in Valencian which, in translation, means something like “finishing touches”. It is actually the moment when the Falla’s top part is finally put in place. Since the Fallas are higher and more spectacular every year, the positioning of these pieces has become a difficult task which may take several days and which is observed with great expectation by dozens of onlookers.

Over time, the expression has become generalised: the “plantà” is now taken to be the exact moment when the Falla is completely finished and ready to be visited, with all its “ninots”, posters and various details (grass, lights, explanatory signs, etc.)

This takes place on the night of March 15th

Fallas from Valencia

"despertà"

Although written in Valencian, the term is quite explicit: the “despertà” refers to the act of waking up the neighbourhood. How? Very simple: by setting off hundreds of firecrackers first thing in the morning. The “Falleros” come out into the streets at dawn, armed with a kind of local firecracker known as “tró de bac”, which has no fuse and is set off by throwing it at the ground, making a very loud bang.

This is a celebration that increasingly enjoys the participation of people unaffiliated with the commissions and which takes place in a permanent atmosphere of fun and noise.

"despertà"

A tremendous celebration of fire, the spectacular Cabalgata del Fuego (Fire Parade) takes to the streets of Valencia in the evening of 19th March.

Fire is the fiesta’s symbolic spirit and the Fallas final destination. So this parade is an exhibition of the varied rites and displays from around the world which, use fire as a basic feature.

This is a colourful, noisy event, with floats, giant mechanisms, people in costumes, rockets, gunpowder, street performances, music… All at nightfall, as the time approaches for the “Ninots” (sculptures) to be consumed by flames.

The “ninot”, cardboard figures(cardboard, wood or expanded polystyrene

Ninot indultat falla Quart - Palomar

(white cork)) that accompany the monuments of the falleros. These are true works of art, carefully done by fallero artists “Artista Fallero” who worked on them during the year.

The typical structure of a Fallas monument is as follows:

- The base: this is obviously the “foundation” of the Falla. The “ninots” or figures are set up on them, representing different scenes. These are explained to visitors by posters in verse located below the “ninots”. Read the rest of this entry »

Model Falla Convento 2006

” Falla” is the name given to each one of the gigantic, sculpted structures of cardboard, wood and sometimes cork, which humorously portray the most relevant current events and personalities.

The typical structure of a Fallas monument is as follows:

- The base: this is obviously the “foundation” of the Falla. The “ninots” or figures are set up on them, representing different scenes. These are explained to visitors by posters in verse located below the “ninots”.
- The central body: this rises up from the base and is usually the part that gives the monument its body and stylistic shape, while acting to give structure and balance. Read the rest of this entry »