How to live with the Fallas

First of all, you should keep in mind that most Valencians (not all) are in love with pyrotechnics. In practically any park, you will see entire families throwing things that you must distinguish: on one hand, there are petardos, which are the small cylinders that make such a loud bang when they explode; tracas, which are a line of several firecrackers joined together that sound like a machine gun; and cohetes, which are the ones that shoot up and explode in the air.

Other differences to keep in mind are those regarding the fallas themselves. Remember: a “falla” is the complete monument that is going to burn; a “ninot” is one of the figures that are part of the falla. On the other hand, a “fallero” can be either the artisan who builds the fallas or a male participant in the festivities who wears the typical regional costume. A “fallera,” however, only designates a woman dressed in the striking typical costume that includes the characteristic hairstyle with coils (rodetes). That does not mean there are no women working in the falla construction workshops.

To all this, why are they called that? The most accepted theory is that it is an evolution of the Latin term “facula,” which means “torch.” In fact, in some regions of Valencia and Catalonia, “falla” is still used with that meaning.

The festival itself is divided into several parts with different names that might lead to confusion. Thus, a “mascletá” is the massive lighting of tracas, firecrackers, and rockets that takes place in the city every day from March 1st to the 19th at 2:00 PM; the “plantá” is the night when the fallas are set up; the “nit del foc” (“night of fire” in Valencian) is the night when the figures burn; and the “cremá” is the act of lighting the fallas on fire.

Between the fire, the heat of the crowd, and the weather, which begins to get warmer around the dates of the celebration, it is normal to feel thirsty. Now then, what can we order to drink? You might have thought that the typically Spanish thing is to order sangría. But no: it’s true that you can drink it wherever you ask for it. But during the fallas season, the typical thing is to savor the famous “Agua de Valencia,” made with liquor, sparkling wine, and orange juice; you can also order the incomparable and creamy tiger nut horchata. Why would you order sangría when you have this?

Of course, if you go to Valencia, you must try the paella. It is said that practically every Valencian bar and restaurant has its own “special” recipe. That said, we must clarify that you will find at least two types of paella. The Valenciana, which is the original recipe, with rice, chicken or rabbit, and large butter beans; and the marinera, which is the one that includes seafood and squid. You can also find another type of rice similar to the seafood paella called “arroz a banda”; it is distinguished from the former by being cooked with fish and served with a sauce called “ali oli.”

After this “crash course” in Fallas-Valencian culture, we believe you can fully enjoy one of the most representative spectacles of Spanish culture. Now it’s time: come to Valencia!