THE streets of Valencia are starting to fill with the famous Fallas sculptures once again, and being the first major festival to be celebrated since the pandemic began, the eyes of Spain will be on Valencia.
But anyone expecting a normal Fallas experience will be dissappointed. This year’s celebration will be unlike any in the festival’s history. For a start, the celebrations are being held in September and there is a curfew of 1am across the city. So there’ll be no partying until the small hours or visiting the Fallas monuments late at night. There won’t be the usual events like mascletàs in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento or the nightly firework displays in the river, although there will be several mascletàs, but they won’t be widely publicised, to avoid large crowds, and will be held in different parts of the city. Likewise, firework displays will be put on in various locations across Valencia.
Also different is the Ofrenda, when Falleros offer flower to the Virgen, which will take place without public and with greater social distancing. In a change to what was originally publicised, pasacalles will in the end be permitted, but with greater social distancing and masks. Facemasks will be compulsory at all events, even in the open air and within the Fallas carpas – a type of marquee – social events have been organised according to strict rules from the health department.
Speaking on Radio Ser on Monday, Valencia’s Health Minister, Ana Barcleó, said: “The time isn’t right for Fiestas, but it is right for some activities with responsibility.”
For a full timetable of the week’s events clcik here https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/fallas-festival-events-calendar-2021
The Valencia Report 