Las Fallas is mind boggling. We are also seeing it under special conditions. Two years ago all activities were suspended mid-stream; of course, and nothing happened last year. Temperatures are 10+ degrees F below average, winds gusting to 70km/h, and the most rain in 84 years!
- Fallas
There are hundreds of Fallas (firewood monuments) all over the city. We easily walked by hundreds. (Tip: to be not dizzy, focus on the 9-10 in the "Especial" category. Look at their "Infantil"(small) ones, they can be very intricate. All the Fallas are well lit, so they are )
- Costumes
The flower-offering-to-virgin Ofrenda event looks like a procession of traditional costume. There are two streams of procession, for two days, and 10 hours each day. The rate of participation is unparalleled, men, women, young, old.... Seeing them in the rain, I was totally moved by their determination and dedication. Such community participation is particularly refreshing from the naked commercial world of the US. (Tip: there are many good view points, move around and try a few). In the video below, listen for shouts of "Guapa!" and "Guapo" (Good looking!).
- Day time explosion (Mascaleta)
The main mascleta happens in the City Hall (Ajuntament) Square, daily at 2pm. (Tip: it's a very popular event, approach maybe 30 minutes before, the effect is most intense at the south end of the square) There are also small and big explosions all over the place, all day and all night long, more each day. Everyone is having lots of fun (as in the video below).
- Night time fireworks
The fireworks start between 12 and 1:30, lasting 10-20 minutes, depending on the day, John thinks return on effect is low. (Tip: the bridges of Exposicio and Flors are both closed, as well as the sides along the Alameda. Approaching from the southwest, Plaza America is a good place).
The organization of whole enterprise is amazing. Each day there are people, more roads closed to cars. I have never experienced a city with so many roads closed for such extended amount of time!
6 comments:
The Fallas are so beautiful! Hope the rain will hold off.
@Liz, one year we should make a miniature one and set it on fire, rofl.
Remind me of gorgeous parade in Peru.
-weiqing
Is this extravagant festival for celebrating spring? The Spanish wood art has a long tradition. Their church statues were mostly made of wood right? So luxurious to burn all these fantastic fallas down at the end!
-weiqing
@WQ, Peruvian have more exciting costumes, music, and dancing! However, it was awesome to see how many boys and men, of all ages, turned up in costumes in the parade. You are exactly right about celebrating spring. I still could hardly wrap my mind around the whole enterprise - hundreds of fallas all over the city, one more or less has to start on next year's falla, as soon as this year's is burned - a whole lot of non GDP generating activities ;)
The catholic places are more colorful and enjoying life. GDP is less important. Great to see happy crowds!
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