DESTINATIONS


Valencia t


Viva See the Spanish city at its most


vibrant with a visit during Las Fallas festival, writes Sarah Gilbert


he acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air and I could barely see through the haze of smoke, as the explosions reverberated through my


body. It felt like a warzone, but to the residents of Valencia, the mascletà means only one thing – the start of Las Fallas. Every March, the Spanish city celebrates this


age-old festival of fire with pyrotechnics, parades and street parties, attracting more than a million visitors. But what makes the festival unique is the tradition of creating giant sculptures out of papier- mâché, cardboard, wood and Styrofoam – and a mix of artistry and humour – only to set them ablaze on the final night of the festivities. In a country known for its vibrant fiestas, this is surely the most spectacular.


travelweekly.co.uk


The mascletà is one of the festival’s most powerful symbols. It’s not a firework display – although there are the occasional blasts of colour – but a barrage of firecrackers choreographed to stirring music, and the noise level builds in intensity during the festival, reaching an ear-splitting crescendo on the final afternoon. Mini-mascletàs go on around the city but the big bang happens every afternoon in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the city’s main square, encircled with magnificent buildings including the town hall.


MEDIEVAL ROOTS Las Fallas has its roots in medieval times with the tradition of carpenters burning the wooden candle holders they used on dark winter nights to signal the start of spring. Over time, the festival became ²


16 JANUARY 2020 103 VALENCIA | SPAIN & PORTUGAL


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