Ciberfallas International

Sueca lamps

Although at the beginning of March one can see pieces of monumental figurines wrapped in transparent plastic being transported around the city,many streets are adorned with lights and garlands, and fireworks displays are staged at midday in various parts of the city, Fallas Week per se officially runs from 12th to 19th March. The week’sprogramme includes the “Parade of the Ninot”, with its carnival-like atmosphere; the folklorish “Parade of the Kingdom”, with groups of serenaders and dancing troupes from various districts of Castellón, Alicante and Valencia performing in the streets; presentations and exultations of fallas in theatres and dance halls around the town; until on 15th March the fallas monuments are actually erected in the streets. As of that day, Valencia no longer sleeps at night – not until late in the night of the 19th, after everything finishes. 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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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 »

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 »

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

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.

Ninots Exhibition

Falleras Mayores in Ninots Exhibition

At the exhibition you can admire the ninots, cardboard figures that accompany the monuments of the falleros, which have been selected from each of the Junta Central Fallera commissions, and which will be returned to their respective fallas for the celebration. These are true works of art, carefully done by fallero artists “Artista fallero” who worked on them during the year.

The public plays an important part in the exhibit, for their votes will decide which of the cardboard figures is to be indultado, or saved from the fire, and taken to the Museo Fallero, where it will be kept along with all the ninots indultats that since 1934 have been spared. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »