Mr. Sinasy © 2012 All rights reserved

 

 

March 2008, a time of year that always gets Sinasys’ juices flowing vigorously. He had already been counting down the days since the day of La Cridá [link to story]. By now you probably all know that this is the time of Las Fallas de Valencia. For more background information about this festival check out his travelling experiences of 2006 [link to story] and 2007 [link to story]. For the third time in a row Mr. Sinasy went to Valencia to enjoy this fantastic festival, while being accompanied by one of his loyal travelling companions who had already frequently visited this beautifull city before.

 

To some people this years’ visit might look like more of the same, but these people just probably haven’t ever visited Las Fallas and the city of Valencia with all its magnificent parks, historical buildings, warm sun, tasty food, incredible Fallas-monuments, cheerfull music, delightfull decorations with lights in the streets, emotional parades, vibrating daylight fireworks (Mascletá), colourfull nighttime fireworks (Castillo) and last but definitely not least the warm-hearted Valencians themselves.

 

This year Mr. Sinasy arrived in Valencia on March 13th. Although he could have seen his first Mascletá that day, he had decided to take it easy and relax a little bit in the sun while enjoying some jamón serrano, some olives and a little bit of vino. The next day he set out in time for Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Mascletá of Pirotecnia El Portugués, which is known to be one of the loudest of the festival. Because he arrived early, he was allowed to take some pictures from within the Mascletá-field.

 

After that he found a spot below the balcony of the Ayuntamiento to wait for the start of the Mascletá. Time flew by because he started talking with a nice couple from The Netherlands who just happened to visit Valencia this day and up till then didn’t know anything about Las Fallas. Well, they were at the right place at the right time. The typical Valencian Fallas music, like Paquito El Chocolatero, also kept up the spirits of the waiting public (tens of thousands of people). And at exactly two o’clock the Fallera Mayor de Valencia (Gloria Martínez Amigó) spoke the the liberating words: “Señor pirotecnic, pot començar la Mascletá”.

 

Every day from the 1st of March till the 19th one can enjoy a Mascletá on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The day of the 15th is always destined to be the day of Pirotecnia Europlá. This year they didn’t start with a rhythmical (almost musical) part, but with a very fast and energetic sequence of thunders. After each Mascletá the pyrotechnicians are being honoured on the balcony of the Ayuntamiento and all that remains on the field are small pieces of paper and cardboard. However, only for a short time, because within the hour almost everything is spick and span again. The cleaningmen and -women of Valencia definitely deserve mayor credit for this.

 

After years of wanting to do so Mr. Sinasy could also find the time this year to visit La Exposición del Ninot. This exposition shows a Ninot of each Falla Infantil and each Falla Mayor. Out of all the Ninots Infantiles one Ninot will be elected by most popular vote to be spared from the flames and to be placed in the Fallas-museum. The same goes for the Ninots Mayores. The winning Ninot is called the Ninot Indultat, which means “saved Ninot”.

 

Below some pictures of some Ninots Infantiles. The last two show the Ninot Infantil Indultat, which also got the vote from Mr. Sinasy. This Ninot belonged to Falla Exposición – Micer Mascó and depicts the origin of Las Fallas.

 

Below some pictures of some Ninots Mayores. Mr. Sinasy voted for the Ninot of the Fallera with an umbrella and carrying her little Fallero. Can you spot Mr. Sinasy in this picture? Although this Ninot got many votes, there was one other Ninot that got just a few more votes (it was a really close call this year). That’s the Ninot in the last picture, which belonged to Falla Convento Jerusalen and depicts a famous Valencian singer accompanied by some typical features for a Ninot (Indultat), being small children and a statue of La Virgen.

 

By the way, besides the normal Mascletás Mr. Sinasy was fortunate enough to be able to watch the Mascletá Napolitana on the Playa Arenas. This Mascletá was postponed from the 8th to the 15th. Although the reason for this postponement wasn’t something to be happy about (attack by the ETA on a politician).

Mr. Sinasy was quite surprised when he met again with another nice couple from The Netherlands with Spanish roots. He had already met them in the airplane and told them about this special Mascletá on the beach. What a coincidence to bump in to one another again amidst over 30.000 spectators. Like Mr. Sinasy they were delighted after watching the Mascletá Napolitana, which in turn gave even more joy to Mr. Sinasy.

 

Another thing Mr. Sinasy likes to do is meeting new amigos. You just never know were you might find new friends. It could happen while waiting for a Mascletá on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, while sitting in a bar, while watching a Mascletá in the streets, etc., etc..

More amigos pictures can be seen in the amigos [link to story] section. Please keep in touch amigos! If you like to receive your picture, just send a request to info@sinasy.nl.

 

During the day ánd the evening there is plenty of time to watch the marvelous Fallas and to be amazed by them. You can find them throughout the entire city in the streets, on the plazas, on the crossroads, etc.. At approximately 350 locations in town a Falla Mayor and a Falla Infantil have been put up. Some of them reach a height of over 20 metres and have a distance of 5 metres to adjacent buildings. Although one might want to, it is impossible to watch them all. In the photopresentation on the left is a selection of several Fallas that Mr. Sinasy visited.

 

Of course one has to eat and besides making you exhausted, walking through Valencia also makes you hungry. Mr. Sinasy already ate several buñuelos and churros (typical local treats), but what better way to still your hunger with an enormous paella (or actually it was Fiduea this time). A big thank you for this goes to my amigos of Falla Bicicleta.

 

After this nice meal and a lot of laughs with his amigos Mr. Sinasy went to see the fireworks display in the river bed. As usual he wasn’t the only one. Tens of thousands of people gather in the streets around the “Calatrava-bridge”. Some of them arrive two hours in advance to secure their perfect spot. However, with that many people it’s never boring to wait. Did you notice that Mr. Sinasy is wearing his “pañuelo fallero”?

 

Besides looking at several Fallas during the day Mr. Sinasy also has to watch the Ofrendá and visit La Virgen de los Desemparados. The Ofrendá takes place on the 17th and 18th of March and each day over 50.000 people make a flower offering to the virgin who had a very special robe this year. Because the Holy Week before Easter coincided with Fallas the robe of the virgin had a purple cross on the back. For the Valencians and also for Mr. Sinasy the Ofrendá is a very emotional moment.

 

And then, almost before you know it, always too early and faster than you want, the ultimate day of Fallas arrives. It’s the 19th of March, the day of St. Joseph. This day is characterised by dozens of Mascletás in the streets of Valencia, the enchanting Cabalgata del Fuego (parade of fire with dancing fire devils) and ultimately La Cremá (burning of the Fallas monuments). The act of La Cremá is an act of mixed emotions. Although it’s an end, it’s also a new beginning. That’s life. Así es la vida.

 

If you’re interested in any pictures you saw, pictures you missed or just want to tell/ask something to Mr. Sinasy, don’t hesitate to write a message to him at info@sinasy.nl.

 

Fallas 2008 was a fantastic year. Although each year has its’ specific highlights, it might even be the best yet. Mr. Sinasy and his travelling companion will be back next year. Hasta el próximo año!