The Fallas

The Fallas (pronounced "Figh as in High, Ass") is Valencia's biggest and best street party. From the first day of March every year Valencia becomes overwhelmed by a fiery fever. The party that ensues is unlike any other. The festivities are a culmination of a yearlong toil carried out by groups called "Falleros". A Falla is best described as a huge papier maché sculptured statue made with great care and attention but made to last a very short time. The destiny of all but one of the Fallas is a spectacularly scorching end.

Historically, craftsmen such as carpenters and joiners were responsible for giving life to the Fallas. The timing of the festivities coincides with the end of winter and the glorious eruption of spring. The craftsmen would prolong the short hours of sunlight by using a candlestick holder called a Parot. The arrival of spring meant that the candlestick holders became little more than an ornament or cloths hanger. The lengthening evenings permitted the craftsmen to jokingly stand their candlestick holders outside the workshop and dress them up like scarecrows. As time passed the craftsmen spent more and more time working on their scarecrows in an attempt to better their rivals. Eventually the scarecrow (Ninot) became an effigy and a work of art. The jocular element remained however in the satirical nature of the Ninot doll sculptures. Later the dolls evolved into theatrical scenes of outrageous humour. Political representatives and local business people became the target of fun and derision.

Modern Day Fallas

The Fallas of the 21st century means almost one whole month of mayhem for the city of Valencia and most of the surrounding town. The Town Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento) becomes the epicentre of flamboyant and exaggerated fireworks and ridiculously loud firecracker and banger displays. This is known as the Mascletá. It starts at 2 pm everyday during Fallas. From midday the spectators stream into the Town Square from all over the city and by 2 pm they are packed in like sardines.

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