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Justin's Life

Welcome to my new blog. I plan to write about all sorts of things here, my life in Spain, ineresting things and ideas I've come across, places I've visited and so much more. Hope you enjoy it and please leave comments as your input is always appreciated.

The first crazy Mascletá of 2012 in Valencia
Friday, March 2, 2012 @ 12:45 PM

 I was in Valencia for the past couple of days this week and I was lucky enough to witness the first "Mascletá" of 2012.  I met up with Graham Hunt and went along to see it with him.

If you're not familiar with the Mascletá in Valencia, then, like me, you'll probably think this is a bit mad.  In the city centre, opposite the town hall, at 2pm they let off a barrage of bangers and fireworks for about 10 minutes.  But this isn't some little boring firework display, it's huge and they must use hundreds and hundreds of fireworks.  

It's gets progressively faster, noisier and smokier and then ends with a huge number of bangers all going off at once and by this point you can't see anything and the noise is crazy.

The proximity to all of the surrounding buildings and the fact that it's in broad daylight, making it difficult to really appreciate the fireworks, it what, at least to me, makes it seem like one of those "it could only happen in Spain" moments.

And they do this every day for 19 days, leading up to the end of Fallas itself.  I recorded this short video from yesterday's show and it not so much the visual aspect of it that's of interest, it's definitely more the audio.

If you've in Valencia this month it's definitely worth seeing, or should I say hearing!



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8 Comments


Robin said:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 7:49 AM

Excellent


Norma said:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 11:44 AM

Wow, I didn´t realise they did fireworks leading up to the Fallas. Poor old Spain - no doubt these fireworks could feed a family of 4 for a few weeks. Ah well, enjoy


Leslie said:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 12:30 PM

I was fortunate to be at the Mascleta on Sunday 26th and on the 1st and 2nd of March this year. I think one has to be part of several to understand the full significance. For me it hails the beginning of Spring and the warmer weather.

To be part of the many people who crowd the Plaza de Ayuntamiento, to enjoy the build up with the ten and five minute warnings, to feel the ground shake beneath your feet, to feel your stomach being pounded as the air is moved by the increasing noisy explosions and the yelling and clapping at the end is something to behold.

Yes Norma, the money spent would feed a family of four for weeks. I read somewhere that €3,000 is spent per day on it but there are times we need to enjoy ourselves despite the cost and the current crisis.

Long may it continue.


Graham said:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 1:24 PM

Yes it was good Justin. I agree with leslie. If it only costs 3000 then it is definitely worth it because just in drinks and food sold around the square to the thousands of people turning up every day it will be worth it for the local economy.


como tu quires said:
Monday, March 5, 2012 @ 12:22 AM

It is quiet an experience, we experienced this in Toca de Moca in Portugal in 1992 then in Alicante in 1997. Minutes before as people line up, there is total silence and then the sudden deafening noise. I remember the first day we had just sat down in the terraza to enjoy lunch and my 5 year old daughter got such a shock that she choked with a small chunk of tomato and my husband had to turn her upside down and thump her hard several times to get it out while the noise got louder and louder and lasted for ever it seemed at the time. it left a mark on her for some 3 years. It grows on you.

It is a multimillion business here in Spain with many full time/part time workers and they also export the fireworks to the Americas so 30k for entertaining & advertising and testing for QC is nothing, says our friends, who own a medium
size factory for the same and can't wait for their turn.

Nothing not even the crises will get in their cultural events. That's the passion & spirit of España.



Maria said:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 @ 10:50 AM

Wonderful Spain!! Thank god they keep traditions alive and provide respite, and activities that feed the soul in the current depressing economic climate. We should take a leaf out of their book in the uk, after all, this would be peanuts to the uk Royal family to provide to the public, and indeed the same applies to uk govt !!!


jose said:
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 2:58 PM

Hello Norma...Indeed. These fireworks can feed many families, including the families of workers fireworks companies, which put the fencing, security, who sell food and drinks at these events, tour guides ... please do not demagoguery


jose said:
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 3:02 PM

I forgot to add that there is a great tradition Valencia pyrotechnic so many families depend on the fireworks industry, is something rooted in our character and not just something that is done to attract tourism. It's part of our identity.


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