Illuminating Valencia in Fallas

Illuminating Valencia in Fallas
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 6:57 PM

Fallas in Valencia is famous for its towering papier-mâché statues, firecrackers, fireworks, bullfighting and traditional dress. However there is one other aspect that is very popular all over Spain when festivals and celebrations come around and that is lighting up the streets with decorative lighting. In fact we all do it all over the world so you might be asking what’s so special about that?

Well Valencia likes to do things to the extreme, especially in Fallas and street lighting is not different. One particular area in Valencia has taken street lighting to another level where they compete year in and year out for the most spectacular lighting. If you haven’t seen this before it is quite something. The first time I saw these streets decorated I was literally blown away and it is something that I always try and make an effort to see each year. The neighbourhood of Ruzafa is literally another world in Fallas. The millions of light bulbs, now LEDS, used to dress the street is breath-taking and I have no idea how the locals manage to get any sleep if they don’t have shutters, the sheer amount of light given off is blinding and puts most Christmas decorations to shame!

Just last weekend was the official “lighting” of the streets and the crowds united to see the favourites, Calle Cuba -Litorato Azorin and Calle Sueca-Litorato Azorin, two eternal rivals in this competition. This Sunday the winner was announced and Calle Cuba managed to claw back their crown from the previous winners from Calle Sueca. To be honest it was a close call they were both spectacular. However this year with the crisis they are all slightly more conservative than before, nonetheless they were really special. I highly recommend you walk around this area during Fallas, as it is quite unique. To give you an idea the first-prize winners used more than 850,000 bulbs to light up their street!

FIRST PRIZE WINNERS 2013 : CALLE CUBA - LITORATO AZORIN