Fallas, Valencia, Spain, 2006
Las Fallas is an annual festival
celebrating the beginning of spring. Everywhere in the city of
Valencia the locals build human figures out of wood and
polystyrene. Some of the sculptures reach a height of more than
20 meters. A jury crowns the most beautiful figure, which will
be kept, while all others are burnt on the last day of the
festival.
The ritual dates back to the middle ages to
ward off evil. The figures were added later when Carpenters
burnt their wooden oil-lamp stands on March 19th to venerate
Saint Joseph, patron saint of carpenters, and at the same time
to celebrate the end of the dark winter months. They adorned
the lamp stands with disused clothing and masks.
Every day from March 1st to 19th there is a
Mascletà, a loud firework, in the square in front of the
town hall which attracts thousands of onlookers.
On March 17th and 18th there are parades in
traditional garments.
(Read further on next page.)
