The embarrassing “Sin Premio” (without prize) distinction went this year to Archiduque Carlos Chiva for their rather uninspired monument which featured a giant devil dancing around scenes from hell. This just wasn’t on the same level as the other special section monuments, and sadly deserved last place. There were a couple fun ninots, but overall it was smaller in scale, and not too clever.

– ABC BnB Valencia

(Note: we skipped 5th place, which went this year to the commission of Malvarrosa, titled “The Battle of Color”. We didn’t get down there to see it, much to our regret. If you’ve got any pictures, please let us know!)

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

The Plaza de Pilar, in the rough n’ tumble neighborhood of Velluters, is a tiny space, which makes the construction and layout of their monuments almost as interesting as the figures themselves. They had our favorite construction of 2009, and this year’s was excellent as well. “Modern Times”.

Inventions and technological advances were the focus, which took its inspiration from the Charlie Chaplin film of the same name. Hot air balloons, early automobiles and a beautiful wooden phonograph made up the biggest figures. The ninots were, for some disjointed reason, dedicated to the beach and to the Olympics. But there were some hilarious ones, including a woman in a bikini… who was no woman at all!

We enjoyed the effort quite a bit, but understand why the commission dropped from 2nd to 6th. This year’s was great, but not up to the artistic genius of the 2009 monument (which should have won the top prize).

For hostel/hotel bookings during Fallas, we’ve found the best rates at Hostelbookers, Booking.com and Apartments in Valencia

– David Villa Photos and Video

After watching a color mascletà for the first time last year, we knew we were in for a treat. And yes, it was incredible again. If you’d like to see one yourself, mark down March 6th; there will be another, after the Cabalgata del Ninot… the mascletà will probably get underway sometime after midnight.

That’ll be the third one on the 6th, including the normal 2pm one and the Gran "Mascletà" Aérea Napolitana. I don’t think we’ll make it to all of them.

Video of the color mascletà for the ninot infantil parade 2010:

– Book your Fallas 2010 accommodations: Hotels, Hostels, BnBs

Fallas T-Shirt 2010 by valenciashirt
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Very neat promotional Fallas video about a woman from Japan visiting Fallas for the first time.

– What is Fallas?

Special Section: Almirante Cadarso-Conde Altea

Anyone walking through Valencia the next few days won’t be able to avoid noticing the statues which have been placed on nearly every street corner. Some of them are big, others huge, and a few are colossal. These are the Fallas monuments — artful creations made of Styrofoam and wood, which stand out as much for their sudden ubiquity in Valencia as their frequently stunning beauty and wicked sense of humor.

And after 4 days, they’re set on fire. All of them*

They seem to be everywhere, but how many Fallas figures actually are there around the city? By my count, 382 are in competition, separated into 17 categories. A quick breakdown:

All of the monuments are in competition within their division, with prize money ranging from €18,000 (for the Special Section) to €180 (for the winner of Séptima C). We’re going to be posting pictures of as many of the monuments as we can, and will try and indicate which section each belongs to.

*All of the Fallas monuments are set aflame during the Cremà on the night of the 19th, except for one. This lucky statue won a popular vote, winning it reprieve from fiery destruction.