València is a city full of sunshine that forms its own "autonomous community" (state) next to the Catalonia region of Spain. The primary language spoken here is Spanish; however Valencian, a dialect of Catalán, is also spoken, here.
Walking through València at this time of year, you may be startled every five seconds (as I was!) with the persistent sounds of explosions. But have no fear! These are firecrackers, a signature aspect of València's culture, featured throughout the month of March for las Fallas.
Las Fallas (pronounced lah-s fah-yuhs) is a festival with religious aspects in honor of Saint Joseph, who was a carpenter.
The fallas are tall, painted, animated sculptures made of wood and cardboard. They have, historically, been made out of old wooden furniture to symbolize the turnover of old into new, from winter into spring.
Over 800 fallas are made by artists and sprinkled through the city, decorating every street corner. Artists work tirelessly day and night to finish these sculptures in time for the festival.
