On Assignment Photographing One Of Spains Craziest Fiestas - Fallas Festival
People gather in front of a giant paper mache statue, called a falla, in Denia, Spain, on the last night of the Fallas-Festival. The Falla is made of papier-mache on a wooden carcass. It is then sanded and painted. Most Fallas-Sculptures are so big that they are never seen in entirety until the assembly on the first day of the fiesta. Photo © Scott Ramsey - A photojournalist and travel photographer based in the UK.
This week, I was pleased to hear that the Fallas Festival celebrations in Spain, particularly in Denia, have finally returned after a break due to the Covid Pandemic. Spain is a beautiful country, and the people are so friendly; I've visited on assignment many times and look forward to returning someday.
There's always something to photograph, especially in March when back in 2017 I visited Denia to document this traditional fiesta. Fallas marks St Joesphs Day and runs from the 17th to the 19th of March, with the last day culminating in a wild night of music, fireworks and bonfires. But these aren't your typical bonfires; the burnt structures are giant, intricate paper mache statues, often depicting cartoon characters or politicians as making a political statement is a popular theme. Local associations make them throughout the previous year; they have a wooden carcass, and some are so big they haven't been seen in their entirety until the first day of the Fallas Festival. They are works of art, and it always seems such a pity they are burnt, but at the same time, that's precisely what makes this festival such a unique, fun and crazy event.
Fireworks and crackers explode, and the crowd cheers as a giant paper mache statue called a falla is set light on the last night of the Fallas-Festival in Denia, Spain. Photo © Scott Ramsey - A photojournalist and travel photographer based in the UK.
Flames take hold as a giant paper mache statue called a falla burns on the last night of the Fallas-Festival in Denia, Spain. Photo © Scott Ramsey - A photojournalist and travel photographer based in the UK.