Las Fallas is considered to be one of the biggest festivals in Spain. It transforms the whole city of Valencia from the 1st of March until the 19th. This festival provides a perfect combination of fire, art, and history.
While the Valencian Regional Government has postponed Las Fallas this year due to the ongoing pandemic, I had the chance to experience the first few days of this marvelous festival.
Mascletà
Valencian@s love gunpowder as much as they love fire. Therefore, from the 1st of March until the 19th, they light up “masclet”, a type of firework, everyday at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2:00 pm. The noise that the masclet makes can be heard from miles away. Standing next to the plaza, you can feel the ground shaking as the crowds cheer.
Ninots and La Cremà
Las Fallas takes its origin from an old carpenter’s tradition. The carpenter used to burn pieces of wood to celebrate the arrival of Spring on March 19th. The woods then turned into old belongings into ninots (as shown in the picture).
These ninots are made out of made of papier-mache, cardboard, wood, or plaster. All ninots, regardless of their size, must be burned on the 19th of March. This even is called La Cremà, and it usually occurs at 1:00 am.
While I never fully experienced Las Fallas, I will never forget the incredible feeling I felt as I looked at the gigantic ninots. In addition, hearing the world-shattering roar from the masclet as they shake the ground will be an experience I will forever cherish.
Hasta luego,
Tran Zen Belila Torres
The Young Traveler's Notebook 