After two years of intense promotion in support of the candidacy of Las Fallas to become Intangible Heritage of HumanityFinally, this popular Valencian festival has been recognized with this honor.
Unesco's eleventh assembly released its verdict last week at the UN headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. The festival of art and fire is, finally, Intangible Heritage of Humanity and the Fallas world could not be happier.
On the occasion of this great news for Spaniards, we review what the origin of Las Fallas is, what are its most exciting moments, what reasons have made them worthy of such recognition and what other Valencian heritages have also been awarded by Unesco.
What is the origin of Las Fallas de Valencia?
There are many theories about the origin of Las Fallas but it cannot be denied that It is one of the oldest popular festivals in Spain, since the first written documentation in which they are mentioned dates from the XNUMXth century.
The most widespread belief is that the origin is in the carpenters' guild of Valencia, who on the eve of San José, their patron, burned the stick on which they held the lamp to work at night in front of their workshops. This stick was joined by old junk that evolved to the current fallas.
Every year around 700 fallas are planted in Valencia, so you will need a map (available at tourist offices) and comfortable shoes to visit them all. The most spectacular are usually those included in the Special Section. The Town Hall, the Convent and the Pilar never disappoint.
What reasons did Unesco give for awarding them?
Last October, the secretariat of this international organization announced that the Fallas de Valencia became part of the representative list of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by complying with the basic criteria established by Unesco: their compatibility with human rights, its openness to any social and age group, the participation of women in its planning and implementation, its creativity in the arts and crafts, etc.
The most exciting moments of Las Fallas
La Cridà is the starting gun for the Fallas in Valencia. In Valencian, this word means "call" and in this act the major falleras of Valencia, invite locals and visitors to actively participate in the party. La Cridà takes place on the last Sunday of February in the Torres de Serranos, one of the most important monuments in the city and worth visiting.
La Plantá takes place on March 16 but we can have an aperitif of these works by visiting the Ninot Exhibition. In this sample, one of each fallas commission is collected, which undoubtedly allows us to get an idea of the quality of the fallas that will be seen in that year. Among all the ninots that are collected here, the most voted will be pardoned from the burning.
One of the most interesting events held during Las Fallas is the Cabalgata de Fuego. It takes place on March 19 and is the prelude to the famous Nit del Foc, when all the fallas are burned. It is a parade with music, dancers and fire carried by the so-called demons. Only a few hours later the flames turned into ashes the fallas that for days have adorned Valencia.
Between the fire, the music and the pyrotechnics, Las Fallas have a quiet moment to organize the offering of flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados, one of the most beautiful events of the party. For almost two days, hundreds of falleros dressed in typical costumes and accompanied by musical parades, bring flowers to the Virgin to cover her fifteen-meter-high mantle.
Tips for visiting Las Fallas
- Book accommodation well in advance, as these are very crowded festivities and at the last minute it will be almost impossible to find available rooms.
- Once in Valencia, it is recommended to use public transport to move around the city since there will be no parking problems, you will arrive earlier and you will not suffer traffic cuts in some streets.
- Opt for comfortable shoes and clothing to move around Valencia during Las Fallas. Don't forget ear plugs to listen to the mascletás. The noise is very loud and if you are not used to it it is better not to expose yourself.
Other Valencian heritages recognized by UNESCO
In 1996 the Lonja de la Seda was included in the World Heritage list in the category of Cultural Assets, in which the Mediterranean Rock Art of the Iberian Peninsula is also found since 1998.
The Fallas thus swell a list also formed by the Elche Mystery since 2001, by the Valencia Water Court in 2009 and the Mare de Déu de la Salut de Algemesí Festival in 2011.