Pyrotechnics: a Family Affair

Cultural identity takes many forms, and for Valencianos of all ages, that form is the petardo (firecracker). Valencia’s love for all things that go boom culminates every year in a week long celebration called Las Fallas. During this celebration there are fireworks, flaming wooden structures in intersections, and daily explosions called Mascletas- picture the Fourth of July on anabolic steroids. Writing it off as yet another ridiculous celebration, of which Spain boasts quite a few, the true importance of Las Fallas was unclear to me. For the Valencianos however, this is a matter of deep cultural pride. The first thing that surprised me was the level of participation from all age groups. Watching the many spontaneous parades, I saw the elderly, the middle aged, and most surprisingly the adolescents, all happily marching in traditional garb. There was no embittered look of angst on the faces of the teenagers, only pride and a sense of identity. Mothers pushing infants in strollers clogged the tiny winding streets of the city, a sign that the spirit of Las Fallas is taught at a young age. At the risk of sounding culturally intolerant, I must say that Fallas fever may be blinding the judgment of some Valencianos. Toddlers ran about, seemingly unsupervised, with slowly burning wicks and pockets full of explosives. I soon discovered, to my shock, that in nearly every case, the toddler was indeed being supervised, or rather encouraged to take part in the pyromania. This early exposure to explosives, fireworks, and massive bonfires all leave their mark on the Valenciano. Not just synchronized semi controlled insanity, not just another unique celebration; Las Fallas has transformed the cultural identity of the Valenciano.