Political satire, crisis, and power in flames, the art of expressing what few dare do
on 25 Marzo 2025 by Alfonsina Esquivel at El Solidario via thefreeonline at https://wp.me/pIJl9-Gpk Telegram t.me/thefreeonline/2730
The power to stir consciences through the art of the Fallas El poder de sacudir conciencias a través del arte de las Fallas
What are the Fallas?
Las Fallas are Valencia’s most universal festival, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Thw name refers to the spectacular sculptural monuments made of wood and papier mâché that are placed in the city’s streets and squares to be admired before they succumb to the flames.
In addition to the large fallas, there are also children’s fallas, much smaller in size, designed by and for the little ones.
Once again, the Fallas of Valencia have proven to be more than just gunpowder and tradition. Under the critical eye of its Fallas artists, this 2025 the monuments have set fire not only to the streets, but also to consciences.
From the housing crisis, to international wars, to political figures like Donald Trump, Carlos Mazón, and other current leaders, no one has been unscathed by Fallas satire. Sharp Satire Against Politicians and the Powerful
Each falla planted in Valencia has been a truly critical front page. The caricature of Trump and his isolationist policies, the references to Mazón’s administration in the Valencian Community, and the ironic winks at European leaders resonate strongly.
The grotesque and colorful figures uncensoredly ridicule decisions that affect millions of people.
The Housing Crisis in Cardboard and Fire
One of the recurring themes this year has been the housing crisis. Las Fallas denounces, with dry humor, real estate speculation, gentrification, and the lack of access to decent housing.
All of this is displayed to the public in the form of ninots that, at the end, will burn, leaving a clear message: the old and corrupt must be reduced to ashes.
Wars, Inequality, and Social Criticism
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza, racism, economic inequality, and the climate crisis have also found their place on the monuments. This Fallas satire does not discriminate between topics or audiences.
The cremà is the final act of the Fallas, when the hundreds of fallas monuments succumb to the flames in spectacular bonfires. It takes place on the night of March 19th, and is staggered between 20:00 and 23:00, which means it is possible to see more than one falla burning.
Not everything burns in the Fallas. Every year a ninot from one of the fallas and a children’s ninot are pardoned by popular vote. The ninots that have been pardoned over the years – since 1934! – are kept and can be visited in the Fallas Museum.
Everything you need to know about the Fallas in Valencia.
https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/festivities/the-fallas/questions-fallas
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