Fallas Experience

The LabLENI Institute of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) is spearheading the Fallas Experience. This groundbreaking project uses virtual reality to preserve and relive the Fallas beyond the confines of the traditional March festivities.

The LabLENI team, in collaboration with the prestigious technology company 3de3, has successfully digitised a significant number of ninots. These include those from the ninot exhibition of this year's Fallas, the Municipal Falla and the monument of the Matías Perelló-Luis Santángel Commission. This collaborative effort marks the first pilot studies of the ambitious Fallas Experience project.

"Our study aims to assess the emotional response to the virtual recreation of the monuments and other pivotal moments of our festivities, especially among the members of the Falleras commissions. We are keen to understand their emotional connection when they relive their festival in virtual reality and how they engage with the monument once the flames have consumed it," explains Jaime Guixeres, coordinator of the Fallas Experience project and Director of Innovation at LabLENI UPV.

"It's like going back to my Falla, with my people, reliving unforgettable moments"

Given the reactions of the first users, the Fallas Experience is achieving its goals. "This has been a particularly emotional year for me, and navigating through this experience has been like going back to last March, reliving those emotions and enjoying virtually some unforgettable moments for me," highlights Marta Iglesias, Fallera Mayor of the Matías Perelló-Luis Santángel Commission.

In Fallas Experience, the UPV team has recreated the monument 'Arrocidades que espanten a la fallera', with which the Ruzafa Commission denounced the barbarities committed against paella worldwide this year. It also recreates some moments of the festivities, such as the cremà.

"Our aim is to study how virtual reality can preserve and enrich the perception of the art and cultural tradition of the Fallas and open up new ways of enjoying this ephemeral art," explains Jaime Guixeres, coordinator of the Fallas Experience project at LabLENI UPV.

New ways to preserve traditional art and culture in the digital age

Fallas Experience also explores new ways of preserving traditional art and culture in the digital age. "This study will not only preserve the transient beauty of the Fallas for future generations but will also allow us to understand better how virtual experiences can complement and enrich our perception of art and tradition," concludes Jaime Guixeres.