Immigrate to Spain and follow Life in Spain: Las Fallas is one of the grandest festivals in Spain. Lasting nearly a week, it features fireworks displays, parades, floral offerings to the Virgin Mary, and culminates in a midnight bonfire of effigies. Because the festival welcomes spring by burning these effigies, it is also known as the Fire Festival, attracting large numbers of tourists every year. Join the Wannianli editor below to learn about the dates and origins of the Spanish Las Fallas festival.
The Origin of the Spanish Las Fallas Festival
It is said that the "Fallas" festival is a custom left over from the Arab rule of Spain, with a strong argument being that the festival is filled with fire-worshipping revelry. The Arabs conquered Spain in the early 8th century, and this festival already existed in the early Middle Ages.
Another theory suggests it is a festival commemorating Saint Joseph, the father of Jesus. Legend has it that Saint Joseph was a carpenter, making this a carpenter's festival. The day is commemorated by burning scrap wood. At the time, some carpenters would make simple models out of scrap wood to satirize surrounding events or the bad behavior of neighbors, expressing their views subtly and with deep meaning. After being displayed for public viewing, they were burned. Later, this ritual became a specific ceremony of Las Fallas, and using models to satirize reality also became a tradition. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks is also a feature of this festival.
When was the 2015 Spanish Las Fallas festival?
The Spanish Las Fallas festival takes place annually from March 12th to 19th. It lasts for nearly a week and includes fireworks displays, parades, and floral offerings to the Virgin Mary. The 2015 Spanish Las Fallas festival began on Thursday, March 12th.
Customs and Activities of the Spanish Las Fallas Festival
The highlight of the Las Fallas festival is undoubtedly the burning of the Fallas! Generally, each Falla consists of many figures, so a Falla can be described as a scene composed of these figures. Every location where a Falla is placed also has a smaller Falla. The Spanish say that just as people have children, Fallas have "little Fallas." During the celebration, the Fallas are displayed on the streets. On March 19th, the feast day of Saint Joseph, except for one Falla that is selected to be displayed in a museum, all other Fallas are destined to be burned. On the night of the burning, the small Fallas begin to burn around 10:00 PM, and the large Fallas begin to burn at midnight.