A 30ft-high Roman soldier standing on a café asiático has appeared in Cartagena!
Traditional dress, fireworks and thousands of visitors are set to light up the port city this weekend
A striking ten-metre-high ‘falla’ statue featuring a Roman soldier perched on a cup of local delicacy Asiático coffee is on display in Cartagena’s port until Sunday April 27, bringing a taste of Valencia’s famous Fallas festival to the city.
The sculpture, created by renowned Valencian artist Pepe Benavent, includes a model of the Isaac Peral submarine, a Roman column and a typical fallas family. It has been brought to Cartagena by the association Fallers Pel Món, with support from the Diputación de Valencia and the City Council as part of an extension of that region’s typical Fallas bonfire and fireworks festival.
Around 5,000 fallas enthusiasts are expected to visit Cartagena this weekend, joined by Moors and Christians and troops from Cartagena’s historical Carthaginians and Romans celebrations. Hotels in the city centre and parts of La Manga are reportedly at full capacity.
The festivities will culminate in the Nit del Foc on Sunday night, April 27, with fireworks and the traditional burning of that impressive falla statue. It seems a shame to burn it, but that’s all part of the fun and the tradition of the Fallas!
On Saturday 26, the ‘crida’ or proclamation will be made at 11.30am from the Town Hall balcony, followed by a ‘mascletá’ at 1.15pm and a flower offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados at 7 p.m., with a thousand falleros in traditional dress. Evening events include a mobile disco and live performances in the port. Should be great fun!
Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
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