"Las Fallas" (Justine)

Las fallas, it's not a "public holiday" for all Spain, but is a traditionnal celebration in Valence (Spain)

What is it?

Las fallas stand to 14 at 19th March each year, in commemoration of St Joseph, Santa of carpenters.

This holiday is celebrating in the city of Valencia, in Spain, but also in all the area of Valencia.

For 3 days, lots of celebrations are organised in the city of Valencia; for example fireworks, processions and especially mascots ("las macletas" in Spanish). As a matter of fact, mascots look like to Carnival in France but more nice!

Few days before celebrations, mascots from 2 to 30 feet, are set up in each street in the city of Valencia. Each mascot represents a particular theme with irony, satirical of society. All this mascots are competitives in order to be the best mascot of the year. It's 760 "fallas" set up in Valencia for 3 days. 

The last day, all the mascots are burned to 10 pm.

Only mascots in las fallas?

No, for 3 days the people who live in Valencia, process in street. Also, every day to 1 at 19 March, fireworks shoot at 2pm on the Town Hall Square. 

My opinion:

I had oportunity to discover this "fallas" during my Erasmus. It's amazing show! To conlude, it's magical...