Fallas Valencia 2011
Like every year in the week before 19th March, the city of Valencia becomes witness to one of the most interesting festivals in Spain, when the Fallas Valencia 2011 will take place. From 15th until 19th March the city dresses up in costumes to celebrate Saint Joseph, designed and building huge statues called falla and eventually burning them at the end of the Fallas Valencia 2011.
Mentioned in this entry before, Valencia attractions are abundant and there are a lot of sights to explore during Valencia holidays in Spain. But there are at least as many Valencia festivals and Valencia events as there are sights in Valencia! If you decide to visit the Fallas Valencia 2011, you can expect to spend a wonderful time with an unique atmosphere. Booking a Valencia hotel or an apartment for your holidays is recommended, because the city can get crowded during the Fallas Valencia 2011. There are costumes, fireworks, street discos, concerts, parades, paellas cooked on the streets, dances, music and much more events during this time, with the city celebrating the Valencia culture and traditions.
Preparations for this event usually take place throughout the whole year before, when the different neighbourhood groups of Valencia, also called casal faller or comissió fallera, prepare dinners, costumes and of course the famous figures fallas. The puppets are made of papier-mâché and decorated with a lot of detail and care. Starting with the 15th March of the Fallas Valencia 2011, each group is parading with their puppets through the streets. If you are lucky enough to spend your holiday in a Valencia hotel or an apartment in Valencia near one of the streets, you have the perfect position to see and enjoy the incredible event during your Valencia holidays.
Usually the falla puppets are intended as a satirical pun on different persons, from all over the world or even fictional characters. During the falla parade in Valencia the city is celebrating on the streets, adding to the party colorful fireworks and enjoyable music. Also the people cook Paella on the streets, which is an excellent opportunity for you to try this traditional dish, if you stay in your Valencia hotel or apartment in Valencia.
The Paella is often seen as Spain's national dish, but did you know that it originated from Valencia? The original recipe includes rabbit and chicken, sometimes also duck and snails in a special kind of pan, the paellera or also paella. Later the recipe was adapted to the region it was made in; the Mediterranean coast offered plenty of seafood and fish which was added to the paella.
So after enjoying the delicious paella during the Fallas Valencia 2011, you can return to your hotel or apartment in Valencia to replenish your health during your Valencia holidays, because the celebrations and parties continue until the 19th March. Also typical for the Fallas Valencia are the medieval styled costumes the people wear, although other costumes are also allowed.
The queen of the fallas is also elected, reigning for one year and called fallera mayor. Of course this position has a high reputation in Valencia, and a lot of effort and money is put into the detailed costumes. Besides the fallera mayor of the festival, there are also falleras mayores for each of the falla parades.
On the Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia the people of Valencia build a huge wooden statue resembling the Holy Virgin, which is decorated with a lot of flowers, marking the beginning of spring an creating a wonderful picture.
On 19th March, the last day of the Fallas Valencia 2011, all the wonderful fallas will be burned. This process is called crema and symbolizes the end of old things and beginning of new things. This event should you absolutely see during your Valencia holidays, but it is important to stay a few meters away due to safety reasons.
Staying in a Valencia hotel or an apartment in Valencia gives you the perfect opportunity to experience this incredible event, so make sure to not miss the Fallas Valencia 2011 during your Valencia holidays!
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