The week of March 19th is the most important festival in Valencia. Throughout the year, neighbourhood associations build large stationary scenes called Fallas, which depict political or cultural figures in spanish society.. These associations spend a year designing, preparing and buildind their Falla. It is an industry.in itself.
These large statues are made of papier mache, painted and decorated. They are erected througout Valencia and are judged by a comitee who awards prizes for the best Falla. On the night of St Joseph, March 19, all these Fallas are set on fire and go up in flames accompnied by thousands of fireworks. The first prize winner is saved from the flames and placed in a special museum for public display.
BUÑOL
LA TOMATINA Located 1 hour west of Valencia, on the way to Madrid is Buñol, a sleepy little town of 3,000 inhabitants. Their claim to fame is the World,s largest tomatoe street fight. In the early 30,s during a festival, a fight insued between several parties. Taking amunition from a nearby tomatoe stand, a major brawl ensued. This local fight has been reenacted for over 50 years and has become the world´s largest street tomatoe fight. 35,000 participant, 125 tons of tomatoes, lots of fun. Held August 22, 2001. We will see you there..
BENICARLO
Located just north of Peñiscola, Benicarlo celebrates its FIESTAS from August 19 to 27.
GIANTS ON PARADE
FIREWORKS over PEÑISCOLA
GIANT FALLA READY TO BURN
These festivals listed are just a few. There are so many that it would be impossible to list them all. Every town, no matter how small, has several festivals during the year. More details are provided by the Tourist centres located in most Spanish towns. We are sure that you will enjoy them all.
FIESTAS and FESTIVALS of PEÑISCOLA and SURROUNDING AREA
FIESTAS
PEÑISCOLA
The town of Peniscola, whose history reflects its ancient origins, has inherited an exuberant patrimony of local customs rooted in folklore, which have been maintained and are reflected in many ways at work as well as in religion and festivals. In addition to the religious festivals which are common to other towns, there are other special traditional festivals, such as San Antonio Abad, 17 January, the carnivals which last for three days towards the end of February, an the pilgrimage to the hermitage of San Antoni, situated 6km fom town, which is held on the Sundat after Easter Sunday. There are also open-air dances and amateur bullfights with young bulls during the festivities of San Isidro during the month of May, and San Pedro towards the end of June. The most important festivals start on the night of 7 September, in order of the town's patron saint the Virgen de la Ermitana.
The greatest celebration of these festivals take the form of "LES DANCES" which include music, dances, activities, rites and public socialising. "LES DANCES" are composed of 4 different groups. The dancers, the farmers, the horseman and the Moors and Christians. The dancers are the most caracteristic of these groups because of their archaic and regional nature. The horseman parade wearing cardboard horses. The spectacular and colorful Moors and Christians are historical representations but they depict history as seen through the eyes of the people. Over the centuries these representations have incorporated different elements, and they now form a story that mixes Arabs, Turcs and allusions to the war againts the French.
