The Ninot Indultat: the only one saved from the fire in Fallas

The Fallas are fire, satire and ephemeral art, but every year one ninot manages to escape the flames and become part of Valencia’s history: it is the Ninot Indultat, the only figure that—by popular vote—is saved from the Cremà and becomes part of the Fallas Museum of Valencia. 

How did it all begin? 

Before the official pardon existed, some ninots were already spared from the flames. 

In 1914 it was the bust of the composer Wagner and in 1922 the figure of Jaume I. 

And interestingly, there were also other ninots rescued because they delighted the public, such as a child spraying perfume in 1925. 

But the big change came in 1934, when the artist Regino Mas proposed that the public should choose a ninot to be pardoned. 

This is how the Ninot Exhibition was born, and the first to be saved was “Grandmother and granddaughter”, with 23,000 votes in its favour. 

And what about the children’s ninots? 

We had to wait until 1963 for the first one to be pardoned: “Pinocchio and Geppetto”. 

Since then, every year one children’s ninot and one main monument ninot are saved by popular vote, in addition to those pardoned by the Guild of Fallas Artists —under different criteria—. And all of them become part of the Fallas Museum! 

Ninot Indultat Infantil 2026: Espartero-Gran Via Ramón y Cajal

With a total of 9,190 votes, the children’s ninot of the Espartero-Gran Via Ramón y Cajal falla was chosen by visitors to the Ninot Exhibition 2026. This piece was created by the artist Zvonimir Ostoic (Zeta) with design by Ramón Pla. 
 

Ninot Indultat 2026: Sueca-Literat Azorín

With a total of 9,475 votes out of the 60,235 cast, the ninot of the Sueca-Literat Azorín falla was chosen by visitors to the Ninot Exhibition 2026. This piece was created by the artist Pedro Santaeulalia and forms part of "Onírica".

Both will go directly to the Fallas Museum to be preserved, escaping the flames on March 19.
Will you come and see them?