THE FALLAS

In the middle of the 18th century, the fallas were just one part of the events held to celebrate St Joseph's Day (19 March). During the morning of 18 March, rag dolls called peleles were strung across city streets from window to window, or small platforms were set up against walls displaying one or two figures (ninots) that referred to an event or to certain individuals that were particularly deserving of public derision. Throughout the day, children and young people collected objects to be burnt on bonfires called fallas. All were burnt the evening before St. Joseph's Day in the midst of much celebration.The next day, devout Valencians and carpenters attended their local churches in honour of their patron saint. Families also celebrated the saint's day for anyone called José (also known as Pepe) with cakes, fritters (bunyols) and The word Falla comes from the Latin word Fácula (Torch).This word was used for the torches that illuminated the tents and those to illuminate a celebration. But later references talk about anisette. It was a time of widespread, neighbourly festivities bonfires and lights that ignited on the eve of extraordinary and supervisory celebrations. On the eve of San Jose ignited bonfires to announce its festivity, receiving that ritual practice the name of Fallas.

credits: Wikipedia

fallas.es

colegiorioclaro.edu

www.index-f.com