| Abstrakt: |
Abstract Spain has a considerable number of local popular festivals or fiestas, many of which feature traditional and gendered dress and costumes. The Fallas festival in Valencia is arguably one of the most representative and sophisticated examples. This article aims to present an in-depth analysis of the Fallas, considering it as an apparent remnant of a pre-modern regional tradition and as subject to transformations during modernism and up to the present day. The article examines the significance of the festival over time by looking at its functions and their meanings through three specific approaches: (1) as an expression of local collective identity; (2) as a ritualistic activity that cements social interactions, and (3) as an aesthetic and artistic experience that fosters a collective feeling of belonging and enchantment. These three dimensions examine the celebratory aspects of this exemplary fiesta, and also its ambivalent and critical dimensions. Although focused on this one example, the analysis has some resonance for other festivals, in Spain and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
