It’s March
and the streets of Valencia are on fire!
March is the time for the annual celebration of Valencia’s patron saint, St Joseph, and the streets explode literally with creativity, colour, flowers, fireworks and flames! It is one of Spain’s most famous fiestas and well worth a visit.
Prior to the fiesta the neighbourhoods of Valencia have been consumed in a huge competition to build dramatic colourful characters (Ninots) which will stand on huge plinths (Falles) dominating the streets in pivotal positions during the celebrations. There are up to 500 of these on display during this time. These characters are dramatic depictions of key characters (social or political characters- a combination of art and satire) which can be up to 30 metres tall. The Falles are packed full of fireworks which will be ignited on the final night and then the Ninots burned. Great rivalries and pride are associated with the Ninots as the neighbourhoods compete to win and to have their Ninot the last standing and last to be burnt in the centre of the city. All are paraded through the city on fiesta days accompanied by brass bands and dancing locals in traditional Valencia dress. In the afternoons the “Mascletàs” start: these are huge competitive pyrotechnic displays between neighbourhoods. On the penultimate evenings of the fiesta the city explodes with huge displays in the old river bed which runs through the city. During all this there are also moments of solemnity when the city also fills with huge processions for the “Ofrenda de Flores” where each neighbourhood carries bouquets or baskets of flowers to give to a huge figurine of the “Virgen de los Desamparados” (the lady of the Forsaken), which waits outside Basilica. It is a beautiful pause amidst the fiesta atmosphere. On the final day the party restarts with the “Cabalgata del Fuego” fire parade and the central streets throb with music, street theatre, running demons and “correfocs” (fire running). That night the “Cremà” or “Burning” starts. The “Falle’s” fireworks are set off then the Ninots are finally burned. The last (and winning) Falle is traditionally the one lit at the main Plaça de l’Ajuntament at about 1am. The citizens and visitors of Valencia will then continue to party until dawn. It is a spectacle to behold!
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