Fallas festiwal w Walencji

One of Europe’s biggest street festivals, Fallas of Valencia, involving the burning of sculptures to mark the arrival of spring was witnessed by thousands. Management consultant, Mats Rennstam, 54, from London visited the 19 day festival this Sunday, as The Cremà took place, which sees a million visitors ascend on Valencia. Mr Rennstam said, "The burning of the often satirical giant dolls (fallas) covered the Spanish city in smoke. This year an attempt to use less toxic plastic in the making of the dolls was made." "The annual competition, which is judged, can see anyone make them but it takes skills and usually it's teams working on them through the year. All the Fallas, build specially for the festival, are burnt, with only the first prize winner being burnt last." "The origin of las Fallas comes from the old carpenter’s tradition who, when celebrating the arrival of spring and used to burn wooden skips (parots) that were used to prop up their lights during the winter evenings." "Over time they started to add old belongings and rags to the bonfire which gave the wooden structures a human-looking aspect, until they became the ninots that we see today. The Valencian sense of humour is seen in the ninots." Please byline: Mats Rennstam/Solent News © Mats Rennstam/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800