There is rich history and tradition to embrace for Las Fallas which takes place every March in Valencia, Spain.
Dating back to the Middle Ages in spring every year when fires were no longer needed for light and warmth, carpenters burned spare wood outside their shops. Over time colourful and artistic decorations were added to the spare wood and the burnings took on a competitive and celebratory nature by different local neighbourhoods – and the Catholic Church combined the springtime custom with the feast day of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters (Jesus’ father, Joseph).
Falleros, the artists who create the fallas, are esteemed and professional – their works are beautiful but temporary. The fallas consist of themed scenes that include ninots (puppets) representing cultural, political or religious figures (often critical and satirical in nature with over-the-top-bigger-and-better elements as seen this year with one dedicated to Brexit).
In 2016 UNESCO added ‘Las Fallas’ to a list to safeguard important cultural traditions and today still many locals proudly dress in historical and traditional costumes; with firecrackers and fireworks following musical parades with the climax Fire Parade (Cavalcada de Foc) on the evening of March 19 when the fallas are all burned in huge bonfires called ‘la Cremá’ under supervision of firefighters who douse surrounding buildings with water.
The March 2022 festivities was the first in 3 years after the 2020 and 2021 March festivals were cancelled due to the covid pandemic. But the 2022 festivities were unique as they were also one of the wettest on record recently – weather-wise the late rains and winds unfortunately caused some damage to displays in the final festival days; and postponement to some fireworks and mascleta (cracker) events. This didn’t spoil the spirit of the proud Valencians and everyone made the most of the happy moments in-between.
In the below video I first joined my expat friends (and a token Spaniard!) at the pre-festival festivities which includes the initial stages of the fallas being erected, paella cooking (Valencia being the birthplace of paella), music and dancing, along with some firecracker-dodging in the streets. You pack your gin and tonic and beers for the road and eventually join in at one of the fun staged musical events in the streets after viewing some of the colourful and often towering (six or seven building floors high) fallas – for loads of street party fun.
Then the festivities take on their cultural moments with traditionally dressed Valencians in family processions by neighbourhood with their flower offerings for the Virgin Mary which are delivered at the cathedral over two days where a large statue of Mary is covered in brightly coloured flowers with white and red themes.
Throughout the festivities you obviously need to tuck into some amazing Spanish wines and cuisine (street parties can be tiring!) like the Central Market’s ‘Central Bar’ offering flavourful tapas and snacks: from delicious grilled squid, crispy pork ear and traditional cod fritters, to potato ‘bravas’. On the concluding evenings I joined my Spanish friends at the numerous street parties and for some Agua de Valencia drinks (another tradition to Valencia – with orange juice, spirits and cava) ahead of the final street parties and fireworks displays and the various burns. It seemed sad that such wonderful artworks were being destroyed, but the happiness and excitement of the actual events leads to anticipation for the next year’s party when we get to do it all over again.
Las Fallas 2022 – Valencia written by John T – one of the international Thacks Awards panelists, living in Spain. When not traveling and wine-tasting, John is an iGaming specialist reporting into director level in the sports betting industry with a degree in Information Technology.
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