La Cridá (the call/invitation)

This is a long overdue post because La Cridá (the official invitation to falleros, Valencianos, tourists, & everyone in-between to join in the Fallas celebration) took place last Sunday (Feb26).
The head fallera of all of the fallas (the neighborhood clubs that participate in Fallas) gave the speech in Valenciano [a mixture of Castellano and francés] which I was able to understand for the most part.
Five of my friends and I arrived a bit close to starting time & walked up to an enormous crowd surrounding the Torres de Serrano (the medieval tower). We managed to weave our way closer to the action: four acrobats hanging from wires and decorations high above the crowd who were twirling around in a mesmerizing fashion.  I felt like I was in a Spanish dream-like Cirque du Soleil.  While weaving through families, parents with babies on their shoulders, and avoiding random strollers, I was startled by the noise and intense flashes of light that suddenly ignited from atop the towers. Following the burst of fireworks the top of the tower immediately filled with a flowing red smoke.  They managed to steal my attention to say the least, and my friends and I simultaneously agreed that we would watch in awe instead of disturb more of the crowd for a closer spot.

The core of the crowd- where all the fallas were gathered, each one holding their flag with ribbons hanging from the sides

There were marching bands throughout the crowd around the tower

Finally made it to the front of the towers

 We followed this marching band with a crowd of people who slowly made their way home from La Cridá.

Por decir lo menos, fue una experiencia increíble.  Todavía no puedo creer que Fallas es una festival que dura tanto tiempo, y que cada día hay una celebración única.  Durante todo, yo entendí que la gente valenciana es tan unida, que a pesar de pertenecer a diferentes grupos o estar en crisis económica- se unen todas las generaciones para gozar de una tradición y de la vida.