It’s no secret that my wife is called Alzira. It is also no secret that her father’s family immigrated to Brazil from Spain, more precisely from somewhere in the Valencian Community, a place that we are still looking for.
We tried several times to find my wife’s grandfather’s hometown, but so far to no avail. The documents we have of him indicate that he was born in Valencia, but in the city of Valencia we found no record. That’s why we think he was born in some small village within the Valencian Community. We will keep on trying.
During one of our visits to Valencia, we discovered a town called Alzira, the same name as my wife. We were surprised and went there. My wife even reported this in a post on this site.
That was the beginning of the story.
When we visited the city of Alzira, we saw scattered throughout the streets posters mentioning Falles de Alzira. We had no idea what that was. We only spent one day in the city, I took some pictures of points of interest, pictures of some of the posters, but that was it.
Well, today I found out what the Falles of Alzira are. And what a surprise!
To begin with the Falles are celebrated in several cities of the Valencian Community, but the most well-known and most important celebration takes place annually in the city of Alzira, tradition that began more than 130 years ago.
Interestingly, the celebration has its apex in March and is to honor San José (St. Joseph). My name is José Carlos and I am married to Alzira. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It’s written in the stars that my wife and I were meant for each other! Everyone in the city of Alzira, I think, knows that!
And it’s not just a celebration, it’s a competition between the city’s various localities and neighborhoods, which start to be prepared at the beginning of each year, and literally catches fire in March. Each one of the localities prepares huge artistic statues called Falles or monuments. About 70 of these statues, made of combustible material, many of papier-maché, are placed in various parts of the city. Then they are judged and parade through the city between fireworks and marches and finally they are burned!
The party is organized by a fallera commission, which leaves nothing to chance. Below to give an idea of what is the celebration, the original calendar for the 2020 parties, which were unfortunately postponed and then cancelled due to the Covid-19.
On St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, the festivities end, so the calendar is practically the same every year.
I am excited and looking forward to for March 2021, the Covid-19 allowing, I want to participate in the next Falles. I have come to the conclusion that in my heart two Alziras can easily fit.
Thursday, February 13
8:30 p.m. Inauguration of the Ninot Exhibition at the House of Culture. It can be visited from February 13 to March 12, except on February 22 and 23.
Saturday, February 22
12:00 h. XXXV Paella contest at the Fair Parks, including entertainment activities throughout the morning.
5:00 pm to 12:00 am. Afternoon with Discomobile and DJ presentation.
Sunday, February 23
18:00 h. III Fallera Culture Gala at the Grand Theatre. Delivery of the “Puente de Hierro” awards.
Saturday, February 29
18:00 h. Mass in memory of the dead falleros.
20:00 h. Parade to City Hall. Ninots Indultats Awards Ceremony
– Followind the, Cridà sponsored by the Falleras Queens. In the Plaza del Reino will take place the traditional fireworks Castle.
23:00 h. Verbena popular fallera with Discomóvil on Avenida Luis Suñer.
Sunday, March 1
14:00 h. Globotà in Plaza del Reino, then lunch in honor of the President and President of the children’s falleras, and also of the children’s Falleras Queens, followed by a children’s party.
Saturday, March 7
18:00 h. Multicolored ride through the streets of Alzira.
– Departure: Gabriela Mistral street, L’ Alquenencia street, Plaza 1o de Mayo, Hort dels Frares, Plaza Mayor (itinerant platform of the Local Fallera Junta), ending at the intersection with Correos.
Sunday, March 8
At 10:00 h. Visit to Falla L’Alquerieta where a “Sardinà” will be served.
At 12:00 h. Visit Falla Caputxins where a “Porcà” will be served.
Friday, March 13
14:00 h. Primero Concurso Nacional de Mascletàs in the Plaza del Reino.
Sunday, March 15
11:00 h. Parade through the streets of Alzira. Visit to the commissions of the special section.
14:00 h. National Mascletas Competition in the Plaza del Reino in honor of the Falleras Queens
14h30. Lunch in honor of The Presidents and Falleras Queens
Monday, March 16
8:00 h. Traditional Macrodespertà of all falleras commissions of Alzira.
14:00 h. National Contest of Mascletàs in the Plaza del Reino.
00:00 h. Pantà’s Night of falleros monuments.
Tuesday, March 17
8:00 a.m.
11:00 h. Parade through the streets of Alzira. Visit to the different falleras commissions.
14:00 h. National Contest of Mascletàs in the Plaza del Reino.
18:00 h. Award ceremony in front of the City Hall
Wednesday, March 18
8:00 a.m.
11:00 h. March through the streets of Alzira. Visit the different falleras commissions.
14:00 h. National Contest of Mascletàs in the Plaza del Reino.
2:30 p.m. Falleras Queens will participate in the traditional “Cassolà” organized by falla Plaça del Forn.
17:30 h. Offerings to the Virgin of Lluch, patron saint of Alzira, and to St Joseph.
– Departure: Padre Castells street, Virgen de la Murta, Alquenencia, Plaza Primero de Mayo, Hort dels Frares, Plaza Mayor (right), Plaza Mayor (center), ending at the intersection with Plaza Mayor (Left) and Curtidores street.
Thursday March 19
At 8:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Mass in honor of St. Joseph in the Arciprestal Church of Santa Catalina, followed by procession in honor of St. Joseph.
14:00 h. National Contest of Mascletàs in the Plaza del Reino.
17:00 h. Pasodobles Parade. Departure from Puente de Xátiva street, Colón, Plaza Musical, Curtidores, Plaza Mayor (Left), Avenida Santos Patrones ending at the intersection with Correos.
9:00 p.m. The Fallera Children Queen, her court of honor and the Fallera Local Council will pay a visit to the commission that won the first prize of the Special Children’s Section. Later, the Cremà of the winning monument and other children’s monuments will take place.
10:00 p.m. The Fallera Queen, her court of honor and the Fallera Local Council will pay a visit to the committee that won the first prize of the Special Section, followed by the Cremà of the winning Fallero Monument and the other monuments of Alzira.
Falleras Parties and Terms
Cassolà – Typical rice-based dish served at parties for approximately 400 people.
Cremà – The burning, closing party with burning of the Ninots
Cridà – Falles party opening ceremony
Despertà and Macrodespertà – Morning party at the awakening of the city
Mascletà – Fireworks display
Globotà – Party where children pop up ballons
Ninot, Falla, Monumento – Papier-maché statues, with realistic, satirical and sometimes obscene features.
Ninots Indultats – Ninots forgiven, i.e. those who escaped burning
Pasodobles – Parade and dance to the sound of pasodobles.
Plantà – Assembly of ninots in the various locations of the city
Sardinà, Porcà – Sardine and pork dishes•
• Albuixarres-Camí fondo.
• L’Alquenència.
• L’Alquerieta.
• Colonia Ana Sanchis.
• Ausias March.
• El Parc.
• Camilo Dolz.
• Camí Nou(
• Cantereríes.
• Caputxins.
• Colmenar-Kings Catholics.
• Doctor Ferran.
• El Mercat.
• Germanies.
• Hernán Cortés.
• Avinguda J. Pau.
• La Gallera-Hort dels Frares(
• Plaça la Malva.
• Les Basses.
• Avinguda Luis Suñer.
• Nou Penalet.
• Stop Castells.
• El penalet nou.
• Pere Esplugs.
• Pere Morell.
• Painter Andreu.
• Plaça Alacant.
• Plaça del Forn.
• Plaça Major.
• Plaça Sagrada Familia.
• Sant Andreu.
• Sant Joan.
• Sant Judes.
• Sant Roc.
• Sants Patrons.
• Tulell-Avinguda.
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