Valencians love fiestas and delight in sharing their joy with others. By far
the most popular of festivities are the world famous
Fallas ( 
27Kb )
(12-19 March),
or festive bonfires, with their explosion of colours,
fireworks ( 11Kb )
and the
smell of gunpowder. The creativity shown in the artistic monuments ushering in
the spring, the music of marching bands and the colourlul display ol local
costumes make a visit to Valencia in Fallas (pronounced: fai-yas)
an unforgettable experience.
Also of note are the festivities ol the Seafarers' Holy Week in the port district, the Corpus Christi Parade, the Carnival and the July Fair with concerts and live, open-air music, the festivity of San Vicente Ferrer, the feast day of Mare de Deu dels Desamparats, the fiesta of Sant Dionís, etc.
And only at a few kilometers from Valencia you can also have a look at many other colourful festivities that spread all around the Comunitat Valenciana at any season of the year.
The
Moros y Cristianos ( 28Kb )
(Moors and Christians)
feasts are a penchant for pomp, splendor and the donning of garb evoking the days
when the Chistian hosts battled against the men of Islam in the 13th century.
The feast reaches its maximun climate at the city of Alcoi, but there are many
other towns where this tradition is held with great spendor such as
Biar, Ontinyent, Bocairent, Villajoyosa,
Alicante, Callosa d'Ensarrià, Jijona, Cocentaina, Villena, Elda, Petrer,
Crevillente, Bañeres, Albaida, Sax y L'Olleria.
Those festivities, with their spectacular battles and parades or entradas(entries) of the moor and cristian troops, with their rich and colourful festive garb, the unceasing music and kindling admostphere beetwhen the audience and the paraders are realy unforgetable.
There are many other festivities, such as Les Fogueres de Sant Joan, the rigilious mediaeval origin representation of El Misteri d'Elx, the festive pilgrimages of els Peregrins de Les Useres and la Mare de Déu del Lledó. ...
