Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers 2007
Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers).
There are several things Valencia is passionate about so much that they become an art form here. Spanish music, fireworks, ceramics, rice dishes… Flowers are definitely one of those. Locals sometimes call Valencia the city of music, light and flowers. Valencians decorate their city with flowers on every possible occasion, and they do amazing things with them. Flowers are offered to every patron saint on his day. But the Battle of the Flowers (Batalla de Las Flores) is the ultimate display of what the Valencians can do.
Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers 2007
La Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers) is a celebration of summer and the final act of the Feria de Julio in Valencia. It starts with a long parade of enormous and gorgeous floats pulled by horses and filled with Valencians dressed to the theme of the float. The primary condition for all of the floats is that they involve artwork with flowers, and it is truly amazing – some look like they are totally made of flowers, and others actually are. Forget ikebana…
Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers 2007
In her it takes part the whole world “fallero” and your candidatas for court of honor. (Corte de Honor)
Once the floats have made a couple of cirlcles around the route and have been awarded prizes by the commission, the battle breaks out. The floats are filled with flower heads, and the spectators have been supplied too. The public and the float crews fight against each other to the last flower. It is a two-way orange shower. There are huge piles of flower-heads stocked for the battle and the fiesta staff bring the buckets to those who run out of ammunition. Even the mayor is called into battle.
After about 20 minutes the fire ceases and the heavy artillery finishes it off – the mascleta (fireworks).
Fountains: valenciavalencia.com / ciberfallas.com photos: ciberfallas.com
