Ciberfallas International

The fire ritual

As a festival for all the senses, the Fallas culminate with the “Cremà”, or burning of all the monuments, on 19th March. This fire ritual consumes a whole year of work, a whole year of dreams. At ten o’clock the children’s fallas are set to the torch, amidst music and fireworks. At midnight, Valencia astonishes the entire world each year by burning its street monuments to ashes, ending with the fallas in the “special section”, whose budgetsare in the range of 400.000 euros  each. Throughout the city fireworks are set off and the flames consume the gigantic figurines as onlookers stand in silence, with eyes reflecting the red flames, amid crackling red-hot wood and showeringsparks and thick smoke.
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The Flower offering

A floral offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados (Virgin of the Forsaken)

In a profusion of beauty like few others, the Fallas festivity has always included a flower offering to Our Lady of the Forsaken since 1945. Two full afternoons are dedicated to the parades composed of all the Fallas Commissions, headed by the Fallas Queens and their Courts of Honour followed by standard bearers and marching bands in a ceremony in which traditional costumes and flower bouquets are the major attractions.
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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 »

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 »

La Crida marks the official opening of the Fallas Festival.

Crowds of onlookers and all the Fallas Committees gather beneath the Serranos Towers, one of historical Valencia’s best-known monuments, usually on the last Sunday in February.

Crida 2009 Photo:Lázaro de la Peña

After a spectacular inaugural display of light, sound, music and fireworks, the “Fallera Mayor” of Valencia (elected festival queen), surrounded by her Court of Honour and the city authorities, invites everyone to enjoy the imminent fiesta, proclaiming its excellence and virtues. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »