Winter weather and Fallas in Valencia, and new pics from Denmark
The weather in Valencia has turned rainy and cold, as if to prepare me for my upcoming trip to Denmark to see the final form of Orizuru. Meanwhile, preparations for Fallas are in full swing here in Valencia.
For those not familiar with Fallas (I wasn’t before I moved!), Fallas is an annual festival held in Valencia every March, celebrating the arrival of spring and honoring Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. During the festival, neighborhoods create enormous artistic sculptures called fallas, often made of wood, cardboard, and papier-mâché, which depict humorous or satirical scenes about politics, celebrities, and everyday life. The city fills with parades, fireworks, traditional music, and people dressed in regional Valencian clothing. The celebration reaches its climax on March 19, when the sculptures are burned in a dramatic event known as La Cremà, symbolizing renewal and the welcoming of a new season. Recognized as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Las Fallas attracts thousands of visitors each year for its vibrant blend of art, tradition, and spectacle. This year they expect over a million people in town for the celebration. Every day there are loud fireworks in the Plaza Ayuntamiento, a tradition called the Mascletá.
During Las Fallas, mornings begin with a noisy tradition called La Despertà (“the wake-up call”). At dawn, groups of festival participants walk through the streets setting off small firecrackers and fireworks to wake up the entire neighborhood. Members of local Fallas committees parade with marching bands while throwing trons de bac(powerful firecrackers) onto the pavement so they explode with loud bangs. The purpose is to start the day of celebrations energetically and ensure that no one sleeps through the festivities. There is no escape unless you leave town.
On March 14th I will fly to Copenhagen again for a final pre-launch visit. Lots to do before I go, including getting registration and insurance sorted out and other such administrivia. In the meantime, Orizuru has left the shed, and I have new pictures courtesy of Kristine at Quorning Boats!
