The Night of Fire and Puppet Burning in Valencia – Las Fallas
Fireworks explode lighting up everything around, this happens every March when The NIt de Foc or Night of Fire fiesta begins in Valencia. On 15th March explosions mark the beginning of the partying with the traditional quema or burning – that signifies the start of several days of explosive fun in this Spanish coastal town.
Enormous papier mache figures are erected in the plazas and streets of Valencia which are then set alight on Saint Joseph’s day, usually Matrch 19th. Old clothes and furniture used to be tossed into the fire as well, then later on figures that represented hated rulers and politicians were thrown into the fire too. Still today many of the figures are recognizable as political figures, hated or not.
This sizzling party-time was traditionally to celebrate the coming of spring and the lighter nights. The local crafts workers burnt the wooden lanterns that they’d had to work by to celebrate the lighter nights. The earliest documents about Las Fallas date back to 1595, when it was a reported to be a celebration for the common people and looked down on by the puritans and well-to-do, who no doubt had a figure made of them!
Every year Las Fallas attract a huge crowd to the fiesta which takes place over five festive days. Incredible displays take place by pyrotechnics who build firework castles designed to make as much noise as possible for a ten minute duration.
The partying lasts all night with music, dancing and bands throughout the festival area and the start of spring is welcomed in with this amazing party. Thousands of people play sardines in the oozing town and when the party has ended for the year, it begins for the next. The work for the Fallas the following year starts the following day on the 20th March as it takes a whole year of hard graft to create the huge
There are many other highlights that take place around the Valencian streets during the fiesta days including bullfighting and flamenco and this isn’t the only party. Las Fallas fiesta comes just a week after the Moors and Christians Fiesta when the town sport the fancy dress of days gone by, it’s not unusual to see one of two still in costume during Las Fallas.
Nobody can party better than the Spaniards and but the whole town is at it then there is nothing else for it but to join them.
The mascletaes, a pyrotechnic speciality of Valencia takes place from 16 to 19th and visitors are advised to arrive at 1.30 andfor the first-time attendee – stand well back. When the display starts it is impossible to retreat through the crowd of thousands.
A wise precaution may be some industrial strength ear plugs!
