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.

Museo Fallero

This museum is right by the City of Arts and Sciences for your convenience.

MUSEUM CONTENT

Viewing time: 50 min

(approximate)

What it is about: Las Fallas

In Detail: ninots (figurines of the fallas), history of the festival, how the fallas are made, how the fallas have evolved, video of the festival.

Presentation: ninots (figurines), photos, text boards (in Spanish), posters, portraits, models, video.

The building: formerly a monasterial complex, later a military prison, the building is currently owned by the Fallas Committee and includes a cute church worth a look.

MUSEUM SERVICES

There are no guides or brochures. Various literature about Fallas is on sale.

Plaza Monteolivete, 4

Near: CAS

96 352 54 78, ext. 4625

Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm / 16.30 – 8.30pm

Sun + Hols: 10am – 3pm Monday closed

Languages

Museum Content:

Spanish , Valenciano

Brochures:

not available but also not needed – the museum is very visual

Guides:

none

valenciavalencia.com

MUSEO FALLERO english version deutsche italiana versione française version

MUSEUM OF FALLAS

Readers on their first visit to the city of Valencia and to this Museum, today located in a former Vincentian convent, may find it hard to understand what exactly a falla is and what this Museum means. Basically, fallas can be described as satirical monuments. They are models made of combustible materials (cardboard, wood, etc.) that are erected in public squares and at main crossroads and then burnt on the night of 19 March, St Joseph’s Day.

The monuments are made by specialist falleros with the help and encouragement of resident’s committees in all the different districts that spend the whole year preparing the annual festivities. On completion, each fallero chooses the figure he considers the most successful and, a few weeks before the plantà when the monuments are moved out to the streets, all of these figures (ninots) are placed on display. The general public can then vote for the ninot they consider the most attractive, clever or amusing and it is then saved from the fire.

The winning ninots (one from the large fallas and another from the children’s ones) are brought to this museum to be displayed alongside photos of the best fallas and prize-winning posters, in turn becoming a monument to popular culture and to the annual Valencian fiesta of the Fallas.

MUSEO DI FALLERO

Chi si trovi a Valencia per la prima volta, potrebbe avere qualche difficoltà nel capire che cosa sia esattamente una “falla” nonché il significato di questo Museo ricavato in un ex convento dei Padri Paules. Le “fallas” sono dei monumenti satirici alquanto peculiari, eretti con materiali combustibili (cartone, legno, ecc.) sulle piazze e ai crocevia delle strade principali, ove rimangono esposti al pubblico per vari giorni per essere poi bruciati la sera del 19 marzo, festa di San Giuseppe.

La loro costruzione, curata da appositi artisti detti per l’appunto “falleros”, è resa possibile grazie agli sforzi degli abitanti di ogni quartiere i quali, riuniti in commissioni, lavorano tutto l’arco dell’anno per organizzare la festa.

Ogni artista “fallero” sceglie la figura meglio riuscita del monumento cui sta lavorando e, qualche settimana prima della “plantá de la falla” – collocazione nelle vie – tutti i “ninots” (effigi) selezionati vengono esposti assieme. Una votazione popolare deciderà quale di questi “ninot” premiare per bellezza, arguzia e intenzione satirica, scampando così al rogo.

I “ninots” premiati ogni anno – uno delle “fallas grandes” e un altro di quelle infantili – vengono poi custoditi in questo Museo. Assieme alle fotografie delle “fallas” più suggestive e ai cartelloni pubblicitari, vincitori del concorso annuale, danno vita alle collezioni e al patrimonio della cultura popolare e di questa festa di spicco qual è la “Fallas” di Valencia.

MUSÉE FALLERO

Il est possible que le lecteur visite pour la première fois la ville de Valence et peut-être lui paraît-il un peu difficile de comprendre ce qu’est une falla et ce que signifie ce musée, aujourd’hui installé dans un immeuble qui était un ancien couvent des Pères Paules.

Les fallas sont des monuments satiriques très particuliers, réalisés dans des materiaux combustibles (carton, bois, etc.) qui sont montés sur les places et aux principaux croisements des rues et qui sont exposés au public pendant plusieurs jours pour être finalement brûlés dans la nuit du 19 mars, festivité de la Saint Joseph.

L’élaboration des monuments est aux frais des artistes falleros et est possible grâce à l’effort des voisins de chaque quartier, qui, regroupés en commissions, travaillent durant toute l’année afin d’organiser la fête.

Chaque artiste fallero choisit la figure qu’il considère la plus réussie du monument qu’il est en train de construire et, quelques semaines avant de procéder à la “plantá” (installation dans la rue), tous les “ninots” (personnages ou objets) sélectionnés sont présentés au cours d’une exposition. Au moyen d’un vote populaire on récompense le ninot qui, grâce à sa beauté ou à son intention satirique, sera considéré digne d’être épargné du feu par la vox populi.

Les ninots récompensés chaque année (un des grandes fallas et l’autre des fallas infantiles) sont intégrés au musée. Avec les photos des meilleures fallas et les affiches annonciatrices qui ont gagné le concours annuel, ils représentent le patrimoine de la culture populaire et de cette grande fête que sont les fallas de Valence.

MUSEUM FALLERO

Dem Besucher, der zum ersten Mal in Valencia ist, sind die Fallas vielleicht kein Begriff. Deshalb wird es ihm auch schwer fallen, zu verstehen, was es mit diesem Museum, das in einem ehemaligen Paulanerkloster untergebracht ist, auf sich hat. Die Fallas sind eigentümliche satirische Figuren, die aus brennbaren Materialien (Karton, Holz, usw.) bestehen. Sie werden auf den großen Plätzen und Strassenkreuzungen aufgebaut, während mehrerer Tage ausgestellt und am 19. März, dem Tage des Schutzheiligen San José verbrannt.

Die monumentalen Werke werden durch die Fallerokünstler angefertigt und sind nur dank der Anstrengungen der gesamten Nachbarschaft möglich, die sich in Ausschüssen organisiert und während des ganzen Jahres an der Vorbereitung des Festes arbeitet.

Jeder Fallerokünstler wählt die Figur, die am besten zum entsprechenden Zeitpunkt passt. Einige Wochen vor der Plantà, [ihrem Aufbau auf der Strasse] werden alle ausgewählten Ninots in einer gemeinsamen Ausstellung vorgestellt. In einer allgemeinen Abstimmung wird ein Ninot ausgewählt, der dank seiner Schönheit, seinem Witz und seiner satirischen Botschaft vor dem sicheren Feuertod gerettet wird.

Diese Jahr für Jahr begnadigten Ninots (ein Ninot der großen Fallas und ein Ninot der Kinderfallas) werden in dieses Museum aufgenommen. Zusammen mit den Fotos der besten Fallas und den prämierten Plakaten bilden sie den Fundus des Museums, als Erbe dieses volkstümlichen Brauchs und eines der größten Volksfeste, der Fallas von Valencia.

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.

the sketch "Falles o Treballes?"

Yes, and not to work as usual, not every day. Are prepared to do hours and hours to attend the festival, to make it possible to give the rest living and entertainment. People who work daily so that all can enjoy the fallas as participants or spectators.

From artists and artisans, workers fallas, fireworks, musicians, policemen, firemen, cleaning services, civil protection, caterers, waiters, hairdressers, florists, editors of temporary facilities, lighting and sound carriers, crane technical services public transport, food handlers, to bunyoleres, and many others.

the sketch "Falles o Treballes?"

Translated with google translator Ciberfallas.com

Spanish Language:

“Falles o Treballes?”

Por lo que respecta al monumento mayor, Pedro Santaeulalia nos presenta en esta ocasión su proyecto “Falles? o Treballes?”. El diseño corresponde a su hermano Josete Santaeulalia y versará sobre todo aquel que trabaja en el mundo de las fallas.

the sketch "Falles o Treballes?"

Dos figuras principales que representan a dos profesiones clásicas de nuestra fiesta, una bunyolera y un coheter, rematarán la falla que alcanzará 20 metros de altura. Les acompañarán dos niños, símbolo del futuro de las fallas, que se encuentran degustando el chocolate y los buñuelos.

Las diferentes escenas contarán con 40 ninots que nos mostrarán como llega el mes de marzo y la ciudad se prepara para celebrar su fiesta grande, las fallas, y los vecinos y falleros se disponen a disfrutar en la calle. Unos y otros hacen lo posible por sacar el mayor tiempo posible.

the sketch "Falles o Treballes?"

Así disfrutan de todo aquello que las fallas les ofrecen: monumentos de arte efímero, música, fuegos artificiales, gastronomía, belleza, ambiente, pasacalles, etcétera…al alcance de todos. ¿Todos? No, todos no. Hay otros que, por el contrario, se dedican esos días a trabajar.

Sí, a trabajar y no como siempre, no como todos los días. Se preparan para hacer horas y horas para atender a la fiesta, para hacerla posible, para facilitar al resto la convivencia y el entretenimiento. Gente que trabaja diariamente para que todos pueden disfrutar de las fallas como participantes o espectadores.

Desde artistas y artesanos, trabajadores de las fallas, pirotécnicos, músicos, policías, bomberos, servicios de limpieza, protección civil, restauradores, camareros, peluqueros, floristas, montadores de instalaciones provisionales, de luces y sonido, transportistas, técnicos de grúa, servicios de transporte público, manipuladores de alimentos, hasta bunyoleres, y muchos otros

the sketch "Falles o Treballes?"

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.

Sketch 2010 municipal monument child

We all sound like the Museum of Fine Arts San Pio V, the National Ceramics, IVAM or the brand of science “Príncipe Felipe”, but our streets hide museums so interesting and curious as the House of the Rocks Casa de las Rocas, the Patriarch Patriarca of the Natural History of the tin soldiers Soldaditos de Plomo, or the history of bullfighting in Valencia, among others.

Sketch 2010 municipal monument child

Undoubtedly, the museums with which the city has preserved and maintained and works of art bequeathed to us are proprietary and are part of our identity as Valencians signs, forming a significant part of our cultural heritage, their reflection in a falla in children is an attraction that the children will learn some of the museums available to us, may even arouse their curiosity and encouraged to visit.

Sketch 2010 municipal monument child

The falla will be organized around an entrance of a museum, in any particular place where the figure of a flight attendant with the gesture of giving way to two children, this scene is used as an excuse to spin the development of the whole, because this way we play with the slogan: “Entra i Voràs”.

The development of scenes come across as a failure mostly air, without any particular order. However, to articulate a shot in the left side of the falla is placed a reproduction of the dome of the Museum of Fine Arts San Pio V.

"Entra i Voràs".

This museum will be animated, two of his most important paintings, including the self-portrait of Velázquez and Joaquina Candado “Goya, which involve the larger volumes of the falla. Complete the scene a Gothic-style altarpiece that tells the reign of Fallera Mayor Infantil de Valencia, in the manner of medieval altarpieces, whose custody is important collection in this museum.

At the rear, it represents the great patron of art valenciano, Patriarch Juan de Ribera, whose collection is preserved in the Museo del Patriarca, who appear represented in the attitude of fun to hang one of his paintings, accompanied by his famous crocodile .

"Entra i Voràs".

On one side and ended with scenes of a certain size, will be located to represent the IVAM, with sculpture by Julio González “woman before the mirror”, “mujer ante el espejo” the greatest exponent of this museum. Thus, interspersed in the volumes described above, and supported in them, followed by a sequence of images representing the various museums, mostly boys and girls participating in the stories and content on each.

Finally, smaller scenes, the complete visual tour through the museums are also interspersed. Cartouches display the logo of the museum, and a brief explanation is provided, or could include a gravel couplet alluding to the scene itself.

A total of 45 completed the five scenes figures listed monument of nine square meters. The project “Entra i voràs” with the idea, script, shaping, sanding and painting and Ceballos Sanabria, and the collaboration of Lorena Ruipérez, Antonio Sanabria and Jesus R. Poveda and rigging for the wallpaper.

Ceballos and Sanabria constructed this way, a child falla directly related to the city of Valencia and with a current design, own and original plastic closest to the child, notwithstanding that it may also take up the challenge of sympathizing with the adult audience.

Translated with google translator Ciberfallas.com

"Entra i Voràs".

Spanish Language:

“Entra i voràs”

José Luis Ceballos y Francisco Sanabria son los encargados de realizar el monumento infantil municipal 2010. Después de mostrarnos en el 2008 nuestras fiestas tradicionales con “Una ciutat en plena festa” y  darnos a conocer la “Valencia 1909″ las pasadas fallas, siguen en su línea didáctica eligiendo como tema central los Museos de la Ciudad para “Entra i voràs”.

En los últimos años, nuestra ciudad ha experimentado un gran aumento en el número de museos y centros culturales, albergando más de 30 en la actualidad. Sus ámbitos son de lo más dispares y se entremezclan entre los clásicos de arte, los modernos de las ciencias, con los festivos y etnográficos o los dedicados a la naturaleza, lo que hace que Valencia sea un punto cultural muy atractivo.

A todos nos suenan museos como el de Bellas Artes del San Pio V, el Nacional de Cerámica, el IVAM o el flamante de las ciencias “Príncipe Felipe”, pero nuestras calles esconden museos tan interesantes y curiosos como la Casa de las Rocas, el del Patriarca, el de Historia Natural, el de los Soldaditos de Plomo, el taurino o el de Historia de Valencia, entre otros.

Sin duda, los museos con los que cuenta la ciudad conservan y mantienen legados y obras de arte que nos son propios y forman parte de nuestras señas identitarias como valencianos, conformando una parte muy significativa de nuestro Patrimonio Cultural, por lo que su reflejo en una falla infantil es un atractivo que hará conocer a los niños alguno de los museos con los que contamos, incluso podrá despertar su curiosidad y animarse a visitarlos.

La falla se organizará en torno a una puerta de entrada de un museo, ninguno en particular, donde se colocará la figura de una azafata con gesto de dar paso a dos niños, esta escena sirve de pretexto para hilar el desarrollo de todo el conjunto, pues de esta manera jugamos con el lema: “Entra i Voràs”.

El desarrollo de escenas vendrá dado en toda la falla de manera mayoritariamente aérea, sin seguir ningún orden especial. No obstante, para articular un remate en la parte izquierda de la falla, se coloca una reproducción de la cúpula del Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V.

De este museo saldrán, animados, dos de sus cuadros más importantes, como son el autorretrato de Velázquez y “Joaquina Candado” de Goya, que supondrán los volúmenes más importantes de la falla. Completa la escena un retablo estilo gótico que narrará el reinado de Fallera Mayor Infantil de Valencia, al modo de los retablos medievales, cuya importante colección se custodia en este museo.

En la parte posterior, se representa al gran mecenas del arte valenciano, el Patriarca Juan de Ribera, cuya colección se conserva en el Museo del Patriarca, que aparecerá representado de forma divertida en actitud de colgar uno de sus cuadros, acompañado por su famoso cocodrilo.

En uno de los laterales y para concluir con las escenas de cierto volumen, se ubicará la representación del IVAM, con la escultura de Julio González “mujer ante el espejo” máximo exponente de este museo. Así, intercalado en los volúmenes descritos, y apoyados también en ellos, seguirá una secuencia de figuras representativas de los distintos museos, en su mayoría niños y niñas participando de las historias y contenidos de cada uno de ellos.

Por último, escenas de menor tamaño, completarán el recorrido visual por los museos, igualmente intercalados. Las cartelas mostrarán el logo del museo, una breve explicación y si se presta, podría incluirse un ripio o pareado alusivo a la escena en sí.

Un total de 45 figuras completarán las cinco escenas citadas del monumento de nueve metros cuadrados de superficie. El proyecto “Entra i voràs”  contará con la idea, guión, modelado, lijado y pintura de Ceballos y Sanabria,  así como la colaboración de Lorena Ruipérez, Antonio Sanabria y Jesús R. Poveda para el empapelado y aparejado.

Ceballos y Sanabria construirán de este modo, una falla infantil directamente relacionada con la ciudad de Valencia y con un diseño actual, propio y original cercano a la  plástica infantil, sin perjuicio que también pueda asumir el reto de simpatizar con el público adulto.

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.

José Luis Ceballos and Francisco Sanabria, "Entra i voràs"

They considered in evaluating both technical and artistic aspects, such as its suitability for the environment because of the representation that both fallas pose to the city. Thus, the jury unanimously decided that the elaboration of the monument was the largest single pledge, the artist Pedro Santaeulalia with their project “Falles? o Treballes?“

For the realization of the monument child chose to have artists José Luis Ceballos and Francisco Sanabria and his proyecto “Entra i voràs“. It is the coincidence that the artists selected for the 2010 municipal fallas and together they planted last year in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. (Valencia)

Translated with google translator Ciberfallas.com

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.

Once the fiesta is over, that “ninot” will go on display at the permanent

Ninot indultat infant “Solidaritat“ (Pedro M. Rodríguez.) Photo: ciberfallas.com

exhibition of “ninots indultats” housed in the Museo Fallero, while its companions are burned to ashes.

The same process is repeated with the children’s Fallas, whose “ninots” can also be visited at the same

.

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.

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..

An “artista fallero” also tends to have his or her own personal style, a sign

Gremio Artistas Falleros foto:Ciberfallas.com

of identity that can always be identified in their work, differentiating them from other craftsmen in the same sector.

One of the most interesting places to visit to get a better idea of these artists’ work is, without a doubt, the “Ciudad del Artista Fallero”. This comprises the largest number of huge workshops where the Fallas monuments are constructed. The whole year round, it sees a frenzy of ongoing work and it is common to find dozens of curious onlookers, interested in seeing for themselves how a Falla is made.
Apart from the “artista fallero”, there are other professions associated directly with the fiesta: there are regional shops, jewellers, hairdressers specialized in the Valencian hairstyle, shoe shops, textile factories (particularly those making silk), fireworks manufacturers, etc.

The monuments’ construction also involves the participation of painters, sculptors, carpenters, writers, poets… many of them specialized in “Fallas Art”.

Workshop fallero Foto:Lázaro de la Peña

Another clear sign of the interest aroused by the fiesta is the fact that the media (both local and national) have specialist reporters who cover any news to do with the fiesta.

fallas from Valencia

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

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”.

"Queridas mascotas" - "Dearest Pet"

- The finish: the Fallas’ top part. A figure, or figures, of colossal size, located above the central body. There is also a “counter-finish” – another gigantic figure, though smaller in size than the main one – located on the opposite side, acting as visual counterpoint to round off the structure’s artistic harmony.

A Fallas monument is, as a whole, a mammoth-sized work. As a result, the figure of the “artista fallero”, or Fallas artist, cannot be ignored, as the person responsible for the project and its execution.

Every monument has a subject-matter, or general theme. On that basis, the artist plays with intentions and ideas, using the subject as a pretext to portray what he or she wants to say.

Ninot Barraca Espadan 2009

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.
- The finish: the Fallas’ top part. A figure, or figures, of colossal size, located above the central body. There is also a “counter-finish” – another gigantic figure, though smaller in size than the main one – located on the opposite side, acting as visual counterpoint to round off the structure’s artistic harmony.

Workshop Artista fallero Paco Lpez

A Fallas monument is, as a whole, a mammoth-sized work. As a result, the figure of the “artista fallero”, or Fallas artist, cannot be ignored, as the person responsible for the project and its execution.
Every monument has a subject-matter, or general theme. On that basis, the artist plays with intentions and ideas, using the subject as a pretext to portray what he or she wants to say.

Even though they are colossal monuments (they can exceed 20 metres in some cases), the most spectacular thing about the Fallas is the way they combine sculpture, carpentry, engineering, painting and, in particular, creativity and humour.

Falla Convento Jerusalen 2006

A Falla does not only consider style, composition and modelling. A fundamental role is also played by ingenuity and humour. These are the “Fallero” terms to define the wit and irony of the artists or writers who devise a monument, when portraying the most significant current events or ferociously criticizing what they consider most deserves it.
The Fallas monuments are distributed in sections, according to their size and budget (costs can range from € 6,000 to € 600,000). Although the most spectacular are the ones in the Special Section (top category), no Falla is insignificant, however small it may be, because they are all a marvel of creation and, especially, of imagination.

The children’s Fallas follow the same structure as the adults’ ones, although logically in smaller format (the maximum allowed is 3 x 3 metres). This makes them, in some cases, sculptural works of art in miniature, tremendously colourful and appealing

fallasfromvalencia

Nou Campanar 2006

In March, Valencia undergoes a transformation: The quiet, hard-working city changes its appearance, its sound, its smell and its rhythm and becomes the venue for an enormous week-long party. The Fallas take over the streets and provide a show that stimulates all the senses.

Cartel de Fallas 2009

It all starts at the end of February. From the ancient Torres de Serranos, the Fallera Mayor (the Queen of the Fallas), chosen from all the falleras of the city, issues the Crida: a call to her people and to everyone to come and join in the festivities. It is the beginning of an unforgettable experience: the Fallas.

The official programme offers a diverse range of activities that run through March, intensifying as the Fallas week (March, from 15th to 19th) approaches. Decorative lighting covers the 370 falla group headquarters spread throughout the city. Valencia becomes an immense and unparalleled museum, born to be destroyed, once its mission is accomplished: the exposure of the negative side of life, exposed to be ridiculed and incinerated.

Falla of the Town hall

If there is one event that stands out above all others, it is the floral offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken); all the falla groups meet at their casal (headquarters), dressed in traditional costume.

On the night of the 19th of March, St Joseph’s day, the festival reaches its conclusion; the music ends and the last firecrackers announce that it is all over for another year. A year of anticipation and effort is purified and laid to rest through the flames of the bonfires. The falleros stand and contemplate the scene as the fire devours the works of art that were created to be destroyed. The visitor experiences a strange sensation of fascination and understanding of why the fallas must be burnt. The fallero is already planning for next year’s festival; the visitor is planning to come back.

http://www.turisvalencia.es

Tags: 2009, falla, figures, fire, flames, JCF, March, monument, programme Fallas, Serranos, St Joseph, Valencia, Virgen
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