When I compared Lisbon and Valencia for a trip in March, intending to focus on murals, I noticed that during
that time of year I stood less chance for rain in Valencia than in Lisbon. When I researched further I stumbled
on the Fallas festival, that clinched it. Soon I had air tickets booked and a hotel. Besides the very, very impressive
Fallas festival (and murals) Valencia has of course much more to offer, e.g. historic buildings and the aquarium.

PAGE ONE FALLAS | PAGE TWO URBAN ART | PAGE THREE STREETS | PAGE FOUR VARIOUS

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Most of the displays have 2 versions: one grand (see directly below) and one, smaller, for the children.

There is often a message worked into them, here it is Social Media. Unfortunately,
it was also often on signs and as we don't understand much Spanish that was lost to us.

'Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, ens transmeten en segons fake news que en realitat son mentides d'aquest món'.

Among the Ninots there's a competition, the flags show the prizes.
The Fallas (Falles in Valencian) festival was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage
of humanity list on 30Nov2016.

For the people in Valencia Fallas is very much a community event.

Communal meals are enjoyed in large tents or outside, a community street event.

Fireworks, so much fun. Much more harmless than fireworks at home..

Firecrackers are carried by the children in small boxes

For a few euro one often can gain entrance to take a closer look at the monuments

The impressions of the Ninots are truly exceptional and enjoyable.

Paella, the football club Valencia and ... ?

Communal meal in the street on long tables, intense conversation

To prepare the meals there's sand spread on the street so not to damage the asphalt by the woodfire.

They really are works of art!

One can see the divorce by Shakira and Geard Piquét played out here; note the Casio watch and Twingo car on the right.

A huge cat, the fact there is an amount of sand shows it will go up in smoke at the end of Fallas.

I did a walkabout near our hotel, Hotel Valencia Center on Av. de França, and found a few 'Ninots' there too.

FALLAS is truly is a fantastic event, if you can stand the crowds; at least I enjoyed Fallas ánd Valencia tremendously!

A helicopter circled the central square where each day at 14:00 a large fireworks display was to be enjoyed.
Even two hours before the fireworks a large crowd had gathered and one was forced to witness it from a distance.
Police were vigilant, which was reassuring.

PAGE ONE FALLAS | PAGE TWO URBAN ART | PAGE THREE STREETS | PAGE FOUR VARIOUS