Las Fallas de Valencia. Nivel B1

Summary

Las Fallas de Valencia is a vibrant Spanish festival featuring around 700 intricate sculptures, or 'fallas,' constructed from wood, cardboard, and plastic. These towering works of art, some exceeding 30 meters, are meticulously crafted by artists and fallera commissions, competing for the title of most beautiful and original. The festival, held from March 15th to 19th, includes street celebrations, traditional parades, and lively music. A highlight is the 'cremá' on March 19th, where fallas are burned in a symbolic farewell to winter and welcome of spring, except for one small figure that survives the flames.

Takeaways

• 🎨 'Las Fallas de Valencia' is a renowned festival in Spain featuring sculptures called 'fallas' made from wood, cardboard, and plastic.
• 🏙️ Approximately 700 'fallas' are displayed throughout the city, varying in size and theme, with some reaching over 30 meters in height.
• 👨‍🎨 Artists spend months crafting these elaborate structures, which require cranes for assembly due to their massive scale.
• 🗓️ The 'plantá' is a period of intense work leading up to the 16th of March, when all 'fallas' must be completed.
• 🏆 'Fallera' commissions, groups of locals, are responsible for creating the 'fallas' in their respective areas and compete for the most beautiful and original design.
• 🎉 The festival's main events span from the 15th to the 19th of March, with the city center's streets closed to traffic for pedestrian enjoyment.
• 🎷 'Pasacalles' are musical processions where musicians play and the public follows, singing and dancing.
• 👗 Thousands of 'falleros' participate in parades wearing traditional costumes, with women donning elaborate dresses and hairstyles.
• 💐 On the 17th and 18th, 'falleros' bring flowers to adorn a statue of Our Lady, creating a magnificent floral dress.
• 🔥 A central aspect of the festival is the burning of the 'fallas' on the night of the 19th March, symbolizing the farewell to winter and the welcome of spring.
• 🏆 The only figure to escape the flames each year is a small one, highlighting the transient nature of the festival's art.

Q & A

What is the 'Las Fallas de Valencia' festival known for?

The 'Las Fallas de Valencia' festival is known for its sculptures called 'fallas' made out of wood, cardboard, and plastic, which are set up around the city.

How many 'fallas' are typically set up during the festival?

Around 700 'fallas' are set up around the city of Valencia during the festival.

What is the height of the largest 'fallas'?

The largest 'fallas' can be higher than 30 meters.

How are the 'fallas' constructed?

Some artists devote months to building these monuments, and they are so big that cranes are required to put them together.

What is the 'plantá' and when does it occur?

The 'plantá' is the final day and night before the 16th of March when artisans work without a break to finish the 'fallas'.

What is a 'fallera' commission and what is their role?

A 'fallera' commission is a group of people from Valencia who are in charge of building their street's or square's 'falla' and compete against each other for awards.

When do the main events of the Fallas festival take place?

The main events of the Fallas festival are celebrated between the 15th and 19th of March.

What is a 'pasacalles' and how does it relate to the festival?

A 'pasacalles' is a parade where musicians play while walking, and people follow them singing and dancing, which is a lot of fun and part of the festival's celebration.

What do the 'falleros' do during the festival?

The 'falleros' parade wearing traditional costumes, bring flowers for Our Lady, and participate in various festivities.

What is the significance of the 'cremá' and when does it occur?

The 'cremá' is the burning of the 'fallas' on the night of the 19th of March, the day of Saint Joseph, symbolizing the farewell to winter and the welcome of spring.

Why do they burn the 'fallas' at the end of the festival?

The 'fallas' are burnt as it was the carpenters' tradition to burn old things to give their farewell to winter and welcome spring.

What happens to the 'fallas' that do not get burnt?

Each year, only one small figure from the 'fallas' escapes from the fire, symbolizing the survival and continuation of the tradition.