When the month of March arrives, Valencia only talks about Fallas. Although the truth is that in many cities, their main festival becomes the center of all conversations not only during the month in which they are celebrated, but for much of the rest of the year. This is what happens in Cádiz with its Carnivals, in Pamplona with its Sanfermines or in Buñol with its tomatina. This year, the popular Valencian celebrations They will be a little more complicated, given the proximity to the date on which a dozen people died in the fire of a block of flats; However, the festivities continue and there are many who had everything ready to go to the Mediterranean city to enjoy the explosion of lights, noises and color What this festival entails every year.
To the Valencians (and also to some non-Valencians) There is no need to explain anything about the Fallas, but for many it is presented as the perfect opportunity to join one of the most crowded parties in the region. Of course, sometimes it is done, as also happens in other popular festivals in Spain, with a lot of ignorance of everything that lies behind those same festivals. For all those who arrive in Valencia in 2024 for the first time to celebrate Fallas, or for those who have already done so before but do not know much more than their own festive experience, here we leave you the most complete guide to the Fallas of Valencia. Pay attention, pay attention.
What really are the Fallas of Valencia?
Exam question. The Fallas of Valencia are a party which is characterized by “the creation and subsequent burning of giant figures”, the ninots, created by Fallas artists, who satirically represent “public figures and relevant situations of the last year”, as explained by the Valencian platform of free tours Guru Walk. These ninots make up the faults that create a “social criticism and humor show” which brings together thousands of people in the capital of the Valencian Community. The Fallas are always celebrated in the month of March, also marking the arrival of spring.
The word Fallas comes from Latin, facula, which means “torch.” The origin of this celebration in Valencia dates back to a ancient tradition of the carpentry sector of the city, who “burned on the eve of Saint Joseph, patron saint of their guild, the remains of wood that were left over in their workshops, as well as the junk that they had accumulated during the winter.”
The most famous Fallas in Valencia
Between the most famous failures —and also those that receive the most prizes— are, for example, that of the Convent Jerusalem-Matemático Marzal or that of Pilar. Precisely these two are the ones that have received the most awards in the Special Section throughout the history of the Fallas. But they are not the only ones. Each one is located in a specific point in the city. We tell you where you can see the most famous ones:
- Convento Jerusalem-Matemático Marzal Falla: at the intersection between Convento Jerusalem and Matemático Marzal streets, in the center of Valencia. It is a very well-known area because this is where it is located one of the Fallas monuments most spectacular and awarded every year.
- Falla Plaza del Pilar: in this square, near the Plazas de la Reina and de la Virgen, you will find one of the most traditional and recognized fallas From Valencia. Given the influx of people, this is one of the most complicated points when it comes to burning, because the square is very small and there is little space.
- Falla Na Jordana: on Salvador Giner Street, in the Carmen neighborhood, is where you can find some of the most creative Falla monuments.
- Sueca-Literato Azorín Falla: at the crossroads of the streets that give its name to this failure, in the popular Russafa neighborhood, is where some of the most impressive failures are placed.
In the following map you can consult the Location of each and every one of the Valencia Fallas of 2024:
What are the Crida, the Ofrenda and the Cremà
Although the Fallas of Valencia can be enjoyed before their official start—for example, by visiting the exhibition of the ninots—, the holidays have a concrete beginning. The Crida (or Cridà, a term that would be more correct) is the moment in which the Fallas celebrations of the year are inaugurated. It is the starting signal, the txupinazo of the Fallas. Crida literally means, according to the Valencian Academy of Language, ‘shout‘. La Crida is celebrated from the Torres de Serranos and the The beginning of the festivities is marked by the major falleras with the same phrase always: “Valencians i valencianes, fallers i falleres, gents de tot el món, ja estem en Falles!” (“Valencians and Valencians, falleros and falleras, people from all over the world, we are already in Fallas!”
After the Crida, the anthem of Valencia plays, chanted by those present, and the moment comes hand in hand with a pyrotechnic show of light and color. The Crida of the Fallas of 2024 has had to change the date due to the fire in the Campanar building, but it has finally been scheduled for Sunday, December 3after 7:30 p.m.
This is not the only event of the Fallas week in Valencia. There are other great events, such as the Ofrenda or the Cremà. But what are each of them? The Offering It is, as its name suggests, a floral offering that is made to the Virgin on March 17 and 18. It is a ‘gift’ from the falleros and music bands of Valencia. The best places to see the Offering, according to GuruWalk, are Plaza de la Reina and Calle de la Paz, two points from which you can see the parade very well. Of course, we must bear in mind that the arrival of the Falleras Mayores takes place at 00:45 on the 17th and at 23:50 on the 18th, so at these times there may be many more people than at other times.
Lastly there is the Cream, another of the key moments of the Valencia Fallas that is most talked about. This is the moment when the Fallas monuments are set on fire during the holidays. Cremà literally means “burned”. The night of the Cremà always coincides with the March 19, Saint Joseph’s Day, patron saint of carpenters—which, as we have already said, is the origin of this festival. At 8:00 p.m. the children’s Fallas are burned and at 10:00 p.m., the adult ones, except for the first prize in the Special Section and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which burn later: at 10:30 p.m. and at 11:00 p.m. , respectively.
But… where are the Mascletàs?
Perhaps you have heard the word Mascletà more times than all the previous ones. The mascletàs They are the time of the Valencia Fallas festivities in which a battery of fireworks, bullets, shells and other pyrotechnic elements are fired successively (and extremely loudly) in a rhythmic manner, typical of many other Valencian festivals. The name of this ‘event’ comes from the masclet, which is a very loud type of firecracker, the traditional firecracker that is seen hanging with ropes in different parts of the city during the Fallas.
The mascletà is not seen, it is heard. It’s not like a fireworks show; but a sound show. Although before it was celebrated only on Saint Joseph’s Day, now there is a show every day, between March 1 and 19, during all the festivities. For safety reasons, a limit of 240 kilos of gunpowder per mascletà is established. HE They celebrate every day in the Town Hall square at 2:00 p.m.
→ Consult the entire program of the Valencia Fallas 2024
How to enjoy the Fallas of Valencia safely
Those who come to the Valencia Fallas for the first time may encounter some complex situations to manage, such as noise, fire or large crowds of people. Don’t worry, here we propose some recommendations to be able to enjoy the holidays safely:
- For the mascletàsIt is best not to cover your ears to reduce the noise. “The best way to protect yourself is to open your mouth a little,” they point out from GuruWalk. They also recommend keeping a little distance, so there is no need to fight to be in the front row. Another aspect to take into account is know the direction of the wind at the time of the mascletàs and stand against it, to prevent the air from blowing the smoke into your face and not seeing anything.
- For the Offeringit is best to avoid the arrival time of the Falleras Mayores, to avoid crowds.
- In the Creamit is advisable to wear cotton clothing or other fireproof material, avoid nylon or polyester clothing and also avoid sandals or other types of footwear that leave part of the feet uncovered.
- Eye! This forbidden throw objects at the Fallas.
- Although the weather in Valencia is pleasant, in March at night temperatures drop a lotso remember to bring a coat for when the sun goes down.
Source: Lasexta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
