Las Fallas Festivities Return To Valencia

Despite all odds, Las Fallas is making a comeback this March. Daniel Hazelhoff reports…

Things seem to be getting back on track, little by little. This year’s Fallas intend to go as planned, back to tradition and flame. Once again Valencianos and Valencianas will see their Ninots rise, and fall, and fireworks will light the sky. After two years of gloom and doom, it’s finally time for a much needed fiesta.

Back in 2020, during the initial outbreak, Fallas was one of the main suspended events in all of Spain. Last year, Fallas was shortened and moved to September. It didn’t feel real though and was haunted by the spectre of curfews and general disarray. 

However, a new hope peeks beyond the horizon. The Generalitat and Ayuntamiento have taken steps to define how Fallas will be in 2022.  Even though the situation regarding the pandemic is a complicated one, Joan Ribó trusts that infections will “peak in the next few days, and should start its decline from there”.

A Brief History of Las Fallas

The word Fallas comes from the Latin word – facula- which means torch. Many versions exist within the lore of Fallas, however, we do know that Las Fallas have a deep link to an old carpenter tradition. To prepare for the celebration of the carpenter’s patron saint, San José, celebrated the 19 of March, the carpenters would burn old furniture and their workshop doors. This act marked the end of winter, and as time passed, it is said that many carpenters started dressing up their piles of discarded wood, in clothing and garb, giving birth to the first Ninots. 

Other theories attribute the link to the vernal equinox, which happens around the 21 of March, where night and day share the same length. This again links to the end of winter, and the beginning of Spring. 

Whatever the correct theory may be, what is certain is the evolution of Las Fallas. From carpenters burning their discarded wood to a UNESCO accredited cultural world heritage. Las Fallas and the Ninots have seen an increase in importance, skill, and beauty over the years. 

As the skills of the artists grew, so did their ideas, and many Fallas brought on satirical and critical pieces. In 1851 the authorities recognized this trend, and all pieces had to pass through a censorship check, however, this only took place from 1868 to 1870, according to National Geographic.   

Today we can see the clear signs of satire, artistry, and humour. Falleros and Falleras take great pride in their celebration and its evolution. It’s safe to say we can expect the trend of artistry, and talent to continue to rise as the years go by. 

This Years’ Fallas Itinerary in English

The Junta Central Fallera (the Central Fallera Board) has published the Las Fallas programme, and all seems to be going according to plan. The dates for the traditional ayuntamiento mascletás, the fireworks, The Ofrenda, La Cabalgata del Fuego, La Crido, and La Exposición del Ninot have all been outlined.

• Tuesday, 1 February

10:00 to 14:00 h. and from 16:00 to 21:00 h. – Reception of the Ninots for the Ninot Exhibition at the Museu de les Ciències.

• Friday, 4 February

19:00 h. – Inauguration of the Ninot exhibition and a firework display. 

• Saturday, 5 February

From 10:00 to 13:30 h. – Fallas collectors’ fair in the gardens of La Junta Central Fallera.

• Thursday, 3 February

20:00 h. – 14th Pyrotechnics gala at the Palacio de la Exposición.

• Sunday, 27 February

07:15 h. – Children’s Despertà.

07:30 h. – Macrodespertà.

Promoted by the Falla Corona.

Ending in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Afterwards, a Fallas breakfast will be offered to all participants.

12:00 h. – Music bands enter the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

19:00 h. La Crida in the Serrano Towers, ending with a fireworks display. 

Fallas events in March 2022

• Tuesday, 1 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Wednesday, 2 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Thursday, 3 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Friday, 4 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Saturday, 5  March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

17:00 h. – Junta Central Fallera sports gala in La Plazeta Teatre.

• Sunday, 6 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

17:30 h. – Ninot Parade with the following itinerary: 

Starting at the Glorieta and ending in Xátiva

Starting at the Glorieta, Calle de la Pau, San Vicente, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Marqués de Sotelo and ending in Calle Xàtiva. The parade will be concluded with the display of the first pieces of La Falla Municipal ‘Protegeix allò que estimes’ and a Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Monday, 7 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Tuesday, 8 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Wednesday, 9 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Thursday, 10 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

18:00 h. – Tribute by the Armed Forces to the FFMMV and CCHH.

• Friday, 11 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Saturday, 12th March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

00:00 h. – Evening Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Sunday, 13 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Monday, 14 March

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

17:00 h. – Closing of the Children’s Ninot exhibition.

17:30 h. – Reading of the popular verdict and proclamation of the “Ninot Indultat Infantil” for 2022.

17:45 h. – Collection of the Ninots by the commissions until 20:00 h.

• Tuesday, 15 March

08:00 h. – Plantà of all the children’s Fallas.

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

17:00 h. – Closing of the Ninot Exhibition.

17:30 h. – Reading of the popular verdict and proclamation of the “Ninot Indultat” of 2022.

17:45 h. – Collection of the Ninots by the commissions until 20:00 h.

00:00 h. – L’Albà of the Fallas throughout the city.

Fireworks in the Plaza del Ayuntamientio

This tradition was recovered in 2016 by the Falla Na Jordana and the Junta Central Fallera and consists of a fireworks display in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

• Wednesday, 16 March

08:00 h. – Plantà of the Fallas.

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

16:30 h. – Children’s awards ceremony in the grandstand in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

00:00 h. – Fireworks display in Paseo de la Alameda.

• Thursday, 17 March

09:30 h. – Awards ceremony on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

15:30 h. – Offering of flowers (La Ofrenda).

Routes of La Ofrenda

La Ofrenda – ROUTE 1

15:30 h.: Russafa.

16:15 h.: Pla del Reial – Benimaclet.

18:00 h.: Canyamelar – Grao – Natzaret.

19:00 h.: La Xerea.

19:30 h.: Rascanya

21:00 h.: Camins al Grao.

22:30 h.: Russafa A.

• La Ofrenda – ROUTE 2

15:30 h.: Mislata.

16:45 h.: La Creu Coberta.

18:00 h.: El Pilar-Sant Francesc.

19:00 h.: Patraix.

20:15 h.: La Seu – El Mercado.

20:45 h.: Botànic – La Petxina.

21:45 h.: Quart de Poblet – Xirivella.

22:15 h.: Jesús.

23:30 h.: Casas Regionales.

23:35 h.: Local Councils.

23:40 h.: Falla de la Fallera Mayor Infantil de València, Nerea López Maestre, Falla Ingeniero Josep Sirera-Pío IX.

23:45 h.: Official procession of delegations from Murcia, Castellón and Alicante.

23:50 h.: Last five Falleras Mayores Infantiles de València.

23:55 h.: Fallera Mayor Infantil de València, Nerea López Maestre and her Court of Honour. Accompanied by the members of JCF and the Municipal Band of Valencia.

01:00 h.: Fireworks display in Paseo de la Alameda.

• Friday, 18 March

10:30 h. – Tribute to the poet Maximiliano Thous, at his monument, located at the intersection of Sagunto and Maximiliano Thous streets.

With the collaboration of the Falla Fra Pere Vives – Bilbao – Maximilià Thous.

12:00 h. – Tribute to Maestro Serrano, which will take place at his monument in Avenida del Reino de València.

14:00 h. – Mascletà” in the Town Hall Square.

15:30 h. – Offering of flowers

Routes of La Ofrenda

• La Ofrenda – ROUTE 1

15:30 h.: Benimàmet- Burjassot – Beniferri

17:15 h.: Malvarrosa – Cabanyal – Beteró

18:30 h.: Algirós

19:30 h.: Poblados Al Sud

20:30 h.: Quatre Carreres

22:00 h.: Pla de Remei – Gran Vía

• La Ofrenda – ROUTE 2

15:30 h.: La Roqueta – Arrancapins

17:00 h.: Olivereta

18:45 h.: La Saïdia

20:15 h.: Carme

21:00 h.: Benicalap

22:15 h.: Campanar

23:30 h.: Casas Regionales.

00:40 h.: Invited entities.

00:50 h.: Falla de la Fallera Mayor de València, Carmen Martín Carbonell, Falla Poeta Alberola-Totana.

00:55 h.: Official procession of delegations from Murcia, Castellón and Alicante.

01:00 h.: Last five Falleras Mayores de València.

01:05 h.: Fallera Mayor of Valencia, Carmen Martín Carbonell, and her Court of Honour. Accompanied by the members of JCF and the València Municipal Band.

01:30 h.: “NIT DEL FOC”: Fireworks display in Paseo de la Alameda.

The Final Day

• Saturday, 19 March

11.00 h. – Flower offering by the Falleras Mayores de València and their Courts of Honour. This will take place in front of the image of the Patriarch at the Pont de Sant Josep.

12:00 h. – Solemn Mass in honour of Saint Joseph in the Seo de València, officiated by the Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares. Attended by Las Falleras Mayores de València and their Courts of Honour.

14:00 h. – Mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

18:00 h. – Cavalcade of Fire along Calle de Colón, from Calle de Ruzafa to Plaza de la Puerta del Mar.

20:00 h. – Cremà of the Children’s Fallas.

20:30 h. – Cremà of the Children’s First prize winner Falla.

21:00 h. – Cremà of the Children’s Falla in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

22:00 h. – Cremà of all of Valencia’s Fallas.

22:30 h. – Cremà of the first prize winner Falla.

23:00 h. – Cremà of the Falla of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

To learn more about the history of Las Fallas check out our post about that very topic here.

Keep up to date with news in Valencia HERE.