Visiting Las Fallas is a sensory and auditory indulgence. This Spanish festival is a riot of colour, light and noise, and it is very much a passionate celebration of both history and present.
There is so much to see and do during Las Fallas that it can be difficult for a person to know where to start. Everywhere a person goes, they are met with colourful scenes, frequent loud noises, and action.
Fire parade
Random fire works and fire crackers are let off throughout the day and night. This is a 24-hour, non-stop party, and one that encompasses so much of the Spanish spirit. There is also plenty of noise and smoke.
The Festival of Fires, aka. Las Fallas, has its name for a very good reason. Orange sparks fly off in every direction. Black, orange, red cloaks adorn the characters firing the flames. The flames beat in time to the overly loud music. If I had wanted to tell my partner how much my heart was beating, he would not have been able to hear me at the time anyhow.
The flames from these spectacles at times can come so close, that they if you were to reach out too far, it feels like they could burn you. The fire parade itself is a sight to behold, and was unlike anything that I had ever witnessed. This fire parade is a must if you come to Valencia for Las Fallas.
Fireworks
In addition to the fire parade, there are also fantastic displays of fireworks. These fireworks are another part of key element of this festival, fire in all forms.
Flower parade
Row after row of brightly coloured costumes moving to the beat of the drums. Some carry enormous, brightly coloured flower displays that take four to ten people to carry. It is incomprehensible just how many people take part in this event and how long the parade lasts. Honouring Valencia's patron virgin, it is a privilege for these people to take part in this event and the emotion is palatable.
The Ninots
Almost as tall as the buildings that surround me, looking up I can see a face staring back at me. These creations, these massive structures, are often soft, but colourful and lifelike. Surrounding it is many, many other papier-mâché creatures, creating many miniature scenes in one. Whimsical, satirical and fantastical. The topics these creations depict are varied, but many includes characters that are either topical or fantasy in nature.
La Crema
The grand finale of the festivities and is named the Night of Fire. This is a spectacle to behold, and one that has few comparisons. This night is all about the burning of The Ninots, creations that are the product of hard-work from many different groups of individuals from Valencia, whom have spent the last year building these remarkable structures. When these Ninots are burnt, the flames reach so high that I have to move backwards from the heat. The flames can reach so high that they almost touch the adjacent building. Fading faces and burning features fast dissipate from existence. This is the burning of the Ninots. All except for one of the Ninots is set on fire, in a blaze of singing and chanting.
The burning of these Ninots signals mortality, rebirth, renewal and for the town, and also the start of plans for the next years celebrations!
For anyone looking for a visceral experience that you will likely never forget, and something that is very much unique, then you will have to go a long way to top visiting a festival like this.
