If your yacht is moored in Valencia this March, or if you are nearby and can visit, get ready for one of the most spectacular street festivals in Spain, Las Fallas!
Las Fallas is a tribute to St. Joseph, the patron saint of the carpenters’ guild. The festival originated from an old carpenters’ custom of piling up old wood in the street and setting it on fire to dispose of it. Eventually, the neighbours began adding their old furniture and other items to spring clean away. During that time, there was a lot of political unrest and people began to show their dissatisfaction by arranging the wood and furniture into satirical statues that poked fun at the bourgeoisie , and the falla was born. Since then, the satire of the fallas has become even more pointed and colourful, and their height has grown with some towering over the adjacent buildings at up to five storeys in height. Hundreds of fallas are built around the town, designed and produced by neighbourhood clubs called casals.
The members of the casals are the falleros and falleras who can be seen parading through the city dressed up in elaborate costumes, followed by an entourage complete with a marching band. The elegant falleras spend most of the year competing to determine who will be the Falleras Mayores of Valencia – the queens of the festival.
The festival opens today 14 th March with a mascletà of loud bangs, followed by a week of fireworks and dazzling pyrotechnics. Each falla sculpture is surrounded by an epic street party, with a lively agenda of music, performance and speciality tasty treats. This year, there will be a huge pyrotechnic display at the Paseo de la Alameda at 1:30 am on Friday 18 th of March. Yes, you have a full night of partying before the firework finale! On Saturday morning the day begins with an offering of flowers and ends with the ritual burning of the mighty fallas around town, closing with the burning of the falla in the main square , Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Check out the full programme here .
As always, Evolution Yacht Agents are here to ensure that your stay in Spanish waters is optimal in every way. Whether you would appreciate some catering and events expertise to arrange your own party during fallas , or any other aspect of taking care of your yacht services and crew service in Valencia, our team in Valencia looks forward to hearing from you at valencia@evolutionagents.com .
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