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| Valencia is Spain's 3rd largest city after Barcelona and Madrid. For some reason, it tends to be overlooked in regards to tourism although it is one of the largest cities. There are wayyy too many awesome cities to see in this country! |
((Las Fallas = the name of the festival in Castillian Spanish...Falles is in Valencian- they speak their own language in Valencia...yes, this country is strange..and very divided! ))
"The Falles is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia in Spain. The term Falles refers to both the celebration and the monuments created during the celebration. Each neighborhood of the city has an organized group of people, the Casal faller, that works all year long holding fundraising parties and dinners, usually featuring the famous specialty paella. Each casal faller produces a construction known as a falla which is eventually burnt."
My desire for wanting to visit Valencia during this festival all began just from viewing pictures my friend had posting during her visit, which was over a year ago. I thought that the figures I had seen in her photos were awesome and the festival looked like Mardi Gras in a way. I'm a huge fan of Mardi Gras...but sorry New Orleans, Valencia goes all out with this! It was super impressive.
First things first; a "NINOT" is a puppet or doll built out of paper-mâché. Each neighborhood builts their ninot in a themed manner, which usually is a satirical jab at anything or anyone who draws the attention of the critical eyes of the falleros (the people who built it). Needles to say I went overboard and took over 300 pictures in 3 days...you can't blame me though because there are around 700 of these displays all over the city. It wasn't possible to see them all but I think we got to see a LOT of them. Valencia is a huge city and we were super sore after walking from one main neighborhood to the next. Here are some of them.... many of them displayed nudity or naughty themes so I'll post the PG ones.
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| This is a display talking about the corruption in Spain and complaing about the 21% tax rate |
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| Only one ninot is saved from the fire every year and it is on display at the Museo Faller in Valencia |
History (wikipedia) One idea of how this all started is when artisans (in the Middle Ages) disposed of the broken artifacts and pieces of wood they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring equinox. Valencian carpenters used planks of wood called parots to hang their candles on during the winter, as these were needed to provide light for the carpenters to work by. With the coming of the spring, they were no longer necessary, so they were burned. Over time, and with the intervention of the Church, the date of the burning of these parots was made to coincide with the celebration of the festival of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.
Spain is known to have crazy parties; throwing tomatoes, running from live bulls, carnivals, and now I can say I know Las Fallas- an expensive/unnecessary but awesome party. Traveler and pyromaniac Janet Morton says, "The scene at Las Fallas is extremely cathartic and difficult to describe, but resembles a cross between a bawdy Disneyland, the Fourth of July and the end of the world!" http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/holidays/las-fallas.asp
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| This display is of the "Familia Irreal" the "not-real" image of the Spanish family |
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| and below the IRREAL family..it the REAL Spanish family..a begger which represents the current situation in Spain. The country is in a serious crisis with 25% an unemployment rate. A little ironic considering Valencians are paying for all of these figures to be built only to be burned. In addition to these amazing ninots, there are fireworks, food stands, lights, cleaning crews, and several other expenses to be paid for during this festival...all in the middle of a crisis! |
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| The Valencian tour bus. This ninot was in the plaza of the town hall |
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| The ninots can be very large! Often costing up to US $75,000 |
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| The most expensive falla ever build was in 2009, it had a 900,000euro budget and it was burnerd along with all the others |
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| "The Apple tells the story" The history of the apple and how this symbol of wisdom has influenced us in the history of mankind. Adam and Eve, Isaac Newton, and Steve Jobs surrounded by angels are all in this amazing Falla |
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| The idea of this display is very creative! Behind us you can see the snow white and the witch who gives her the posion apple too. I liked the Steve Jobs representation because he is surronded by angels in heaven. |
History (wikipedia) One idea of how this all started is when artisans (in the Middle Ages) disposed of the broken artifacts and pieces of wood they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring equinox. Valencian carpenters used planks of wood called parots to hang their candles on during the winter, as these were needed to provide light for the carpenters to work by. With the coming of the spring, they were no longer necessary, so they were burned. Over time, and with the intervention of the Church, the date of the burning of these parots was made to coincide with the celebration of the festival of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.
Spain is known to have crazy parties; throwing tomatoes, running from live bulls, carnivals, and now I can say I know Las Fallas- an expensive/unnecessary but awesome party. Traveler and pyromaniac Janet Morton says, "The scene at Las Fallas is extremely cathartic and difficult to describe, but resembles a cross between a bawdy Disneyland, the Fourth of July and the end of the world!" http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/holidays/las-fallas.asp
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