Fallas 2017 slideshow of the sculptures

March 2017

Fallas is an annual festival famous for it’s wonderful statues, called “fallas,”  magnificent mascletas (daytime thunderworks) and fireworks (at night), marching bands by the hundreds and the women who march with them in traditional silk dresses, as well as sound and light shows.

Here is my slide show of photos from Fallas 2017, set to Himno de Fallero, Hymm of the Fallero (member of the local organizations that make Fallas happen).

 

 

Photos of the wonderful sculptures of Fallas, Valencia’s annual carnival

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There you will find photos of various Fallas (foam and wooden sculptures often satirical in nature and up to 75′ tall) as well as a video of the amazing street lights which are also famous, and the sound and light shows they do nightly during Fallas (March 1-19 each year).

 

 

Ninots on the rise!

Here are some shots from last night’s walk.  The first one will give you an idea of the size of these “fallas”.  Note on my right some other pieces that will be incorporated into the structure.  The second photo is a closeup of a “ninot”, another piece of the same falla.  Cute, no?  The third photo shows various ninots/munecos as delivered to the intersection where they will be assembled, a few blocks from the first one.  The fourth is another ninot. It is shrink-wrapped, but looks a a bit like a lobster???

The fallas have never been assembled before and the pieces are built at different locations.  So the actual assembly of the falla is often fraught with unexpected difficulties, and is therefore closely watched by passersby.  All must be complete by a certain time on the 15th of March, opening day Fallas week.

The last photo is of the Mercado de Colon at almost sunset.  You can also see an example of the street lighting that is cropping up all over the city.  Each neighborhood is responsible for its own falla and street decorations.  Also going up are large tents where the neighborhood groups will have “block parties” for their members.  These may go on for five days.  Some will be open to the public, for a small fee – the members of these organizations pay dues all year so they can eat and drink at these events.  They can’t afford to feed all the tourists for free.

Note what people are wearing.  Spring has not yet arrived.