Formerly, much time would be spent by the Casal faller preparing the ninots (Valencian for puppets or dolls). During the week leading up to March 19, each group takes its ninot out for a grand parade, and then mounts it, each on its own elaborate firecracker-filled cardboard and paper-mâché artistic monument in a street of the given neighborhood.
During Falles, many people wear their casal faller dress in regional and historical costumes from different eras of Valencia’s history; the dolçaina and tabalet (a kind of Valencian drum) are frequently heard, as most of the different casals fallers have their own traditional bands.
Although the Falles is a very traditional event and many participants dress in medieval clothing, the ninots usually include such modern characters as Shrek, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Lady Gaga.
II| The Festival
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