Falles: A Festival of Joy

Falles: A Festival of Joy

Falles is a traditional celebration that takes place in Valencia, Spain, every year in March. This festival, which has been celebrated for centuries, is a time of joy, music, fireworks, and parades. The main focus of the festival is the creation and burning of elaborate sculptures called fallas. These sculptures are made of wood, paper-mache, and other materials and can reach heights of up to 20 meters.

The Origins of Falles

The origins of Falles can be traced back to pagan rituals that celebrated the arrival of spring. Over time, these rituals evolved into a Christian celebration that honors Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. The festival also has a political aspect, as it commemorates the defeat of the French troops during the Spanish War of Independence in the early 19th century.

The Celebration

The Falles festival begins on March 1st with the traditional «plantà,» where the fallas sculptures are erected in the streets of Valencia. Over the next few days, the city comes alive with parades, music, and fireworks. The streets are filled with people wearing traditional costumes and dancing to traditional music.

The Burning of the Fallas

The highlight of the Falles festival is the burning of the fallas sculptures on the night of March 19th, the feast day of Saint Joseph. The sculptures are set on fire in a spectacular display of fireworks and flames. This symbolizes the end of the festival and the purification of the city. The burning of the fallas is a bittersweet moment for the people of Valencia, as they say goodbye to the sculptures that they have spent months creating.