Flower Offering of the Fallas festivities

The floral offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados in Valencia on the 17th and 18th of March, between 3:30 pm and midnight, constitutes the most emotional event of the festivities.

This is an important event in the life of any "fallero" or "fallera" (participants in the traditional celebration of Fallas), but also for anyone from this land. The devotion to the "Geperudeta," the affectionate term given by Valencians to their virgin, is an integral part of Valencian identity.

Therefore, this massive parade, divided into two days, is accompanied by a staging worthy of its roots: all the Fallas committees in the city, many from the metropolitan area of Valencia and towns in the province, parade through the city streets to the Plaza de la Virgen to offer flowers to the patroness of the Valencians.

There awaits them an immense reproduction of the "Geperudeta," whose mantle is dyed the color of the flowers; the thousands of "falleros" and "falleras" passing in front of the giant Virgen de los Desamparados hand over their bouquets to an experienced team that climbs the structure and strategically places them.

At the end of the two days, the mantle displays a harmonious tapestry of colorful flowers. In short, the result is wonderful; it is something that cannot be better explained. One has to see it to truly understand what it is about.

Witnessing the offering parade is easy as it goes through all the neighborhoods of Valencia. However, the most emotional part is the final stretch, where all the participating committees march through Calle de San Vicente and Calle de la Paz until they reach the Plaza de la Virgen.

Upon entering the square, few can resist being moved to tears. It's a unique moment.

As mentioned, it's difficult to comprehend if not seen live. If you decide to live the experience, you should know that both afternoons of the offering start at 3:30 pm and end around midnight – note that a parade of tens of thousands of people may experience some deviation in the finishing time.

At that same time, at midnight, as soon as the main "falleras" are available, the nighttime castle on the 17th and the "Nit del Foc" (Night of Fire) on the 18th begin in the Turia Gardens. Organize yourself to make it to everything, as it's worth it.