Valencian Fire Festival: History and Traditions of Las Fallas
Introduction to Las Fallas
In this index, we will discuss the following topics:
- What Las Fallas truly are (as many people misunderstand the core concept).
- The history of the celebration, including its origin and why the Valencians started celebrating it.
- The different events and processes required to prepare for March. These processes are often complex and lengthy.
- The different types of traditional dressing and the typical food associated with this celebration.
- The important people involved in the celebration, who often undergo a year-long process of preparation.
To get started, I’m going to reveal what the Valencian *Fallas* really are.
What Exactly Are Las Fallas?
If I were to ask you what *Las Fallas* are, most people would likely answer that they are the figures or monuments that are burned one day, often characterized by their funny or satirical nature. Others might mention the different events that happen in March, such as *La Mascletà*, *La Cremà*, or *La Ofrenda de Flores*. If you believe this is the entirety of *Las Fallas*, you are close, but slightly mistaken.
What *Las Fallas* truly are is a group of people who live near each other. They form a group, give it a name, and collect money to carry out the activities. *Las Fallas* are prepared throughout the year with various acts, but the most important acts—the ones for which Valencians prepare all year round—take place between March 14 and 19.
The History and Origin of Las Fallas
The *Fallas* is not a recent phenomenon; it is a Valencian tradition dating back to the 18th century, specifically the year 1774. The origin of the *Fallas* festival dates back to the ancient tradition of the city’s carpenters. On the eve of the feast of their patron, **Saint Joseph**, they would burn old and useless junk in front of their workshops, in the streets and public squares. They used these wooden structures to raise the lamps that illuminated them while they worked during the winter months.
These *Fallas* evolved, becoming charged with a critical and ironic sense. The *Fallas* monuments began to show scenes that reproduced objectionable social events and social criticism, always presented with a sense of humor. With the passage of time, Valencian city councils began to give more importance to the *Fallas* until they became a regional festival recognized throughout Europe.
Key Events and the Fallas Calendar
As mentioned before, *Las Fallas* are celebrated throughout the entire year, not just in March. Here are some of the key events:
Year-Round Preparations
- Coronation: The coronation of the *Fallera Major* (Senior Fallera Queen) and *Fallera Menor* (Junior Fallera Queen) takes place in the city hall, usually several months before March.
- Falla Meetings: The *Falla* commissions meet a few days each month to build the *ninot* (the figures) and share dinner.
- La Cridà: This event, which officially announces the start of the festival, is celebrated on the last Sunday of February.
Major Events in March
The acts that occur in March are numerous and intense:
- La Mascletà: A daily pyrotechnic display, usually held at 2:00 PM.
- Ninot Parade: Typically held on March 2nd and 8th.
- Fireworks: Held on many nights, as the local people love fireworks for any celebration.
- La Plantà: The act of setting up the monuments, which takes place on March 15th and 16th.
- El Encendido de Luces: The lighting of the elaborate street lights (in 2020, this was held on March 6th).
- La Exposición del Ninot: The exhibition of the figures, held around March 14th and 15th.
- La Ofrenda de Flores: The beautiful Flower Offering to the Virgin Mary, held on the 18th, which is considered one of the best events.
- La Cremà: The final act of March, where the monuments are burned, held on the 19th.
The Elaborate Fallera Dress and Hairstyle
The *Falleras* are dressed in very expensive, traditional clothing and wear a very difficult, intricate hairstyle.
The Fallera Hairstyle
The steps for achieving a *Fallera* hairstyle are:
- Make a low bun, and use false hair braids to create an eight-shaped bun, secured using a thick needle called a *canó*.
- Create two snail-shaped bows called “rodete.” For this, a little loose hair is left on the sides because these bows go over the ears, covering them.
- To finish the hairstyle, two waves are added in the part closest to the baby hairs, reinforced with hair gel and hairspray so that the hairstyle lasts all day.
It is important to place all the pins and combs in the hair, which are usually gold or silver. The complete hair styling typically costs about 35€ (£31), not counting the combs and hairpins, which cost around 200€ (£177). The complete dress can cost from 2,000€ (£1,771) up to some that exceed 15,000€ (£13,284).
Components of the Fallera Dress
The parts of the dress include:
- The T-shirt
- The socks, called *Calça*
- The under-skirt, called *Sinagües*
- The skirt, called *Guardapeu*
- The apron, called *Davantal*
- The *Gipó* (bodice)
- The *Marcador de Pit* (chest marker)
- The *Mantelilla* (shawl)
- The shoes, called *Sabata*
- The *Aderezo* (jewelry set)
Traditional Food and Drink of the Celebration
The typical food of this celebration is **Paella**, because each *Falla* commission prepares a very large *paella* for all of its components.
They also traditionally drink **Agua de Valencia**, which is an alcoholic cocktail containing:
- Orange juice
- Gin
- Vodka
- Cava or Champagne
Important Figures of the Fallas Celebration
Finally, the important figures of *Las Fallas* are:
- **El Ninot:** The individual figures that make up the larger monument.
- **Els Falleros:** The male members of the *Falla* commission.
- **Les Falleres:** The female members of the *Falla* commission. (For example, my friend Claudia, who lives in the town of Ontinyent, is a *Fallera*.)
- **La Mare de Déu dels Desemparats:** The patron saint of Valencia (Our Lady of the Forsaken).
- **San José:** Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the carpenters and the festival itself.
Thank you for your attention.