Fallera alemana: "My day as fallera"

“You know what we could dress you up as a Fallera and you could send some photos to your family” this sentence from the caretaker at the school where I work started everything. Now I am sitting here, Fallas are over and I did not only take pictures, I was a Fallera for a whole day.

Noe one of the teachers of my school got evolved and told me she could arrange a dress for me if I wanted and I could dress up and take part with her for la Ofrena. Firstly I was shocked and scared, I knew nobody of the other volunteers was going to do that and I didn't want to be disrespectful to the community in Alzira, because I was participating in their tradition as a foreigner. But then I realized that this is a wonderful chance to understand and respect their traditions even more so I said yes.

I meet with my teacher at 11:30 and at 12:00 we went to the hairdresser to get my hair done. It took around an hour and this made me realize that every part of this beautiful tradition is art. It starts with the hair, the make up, the really expensive, but beautiful dresses, the dances, the organized way to walk, the monuments, every tiny part makes this tradition so special. I have a lot of respect for all the woman that are part of this process.

After my teacher got her hair refreshed we went to eat all together at the Falla she takes part in: Albuixarres-Camí Fondo. And then started to get dressed after. Because it is a religious tradition, we had to wear a veil on top. Being in Falla number 16 meant a lot of waiting in the cold, but when we finally started it was an incredible feeling. Everybody had exactly their place which made me feel more secure and while walking through the city, you got this feeling of representing something big and I was very proud of being able to participate in that.

At the end of the day I gained even more respect than before for all the Falleras and Falleros. I would never have thought that I could be a part of this big tradition and I am thankful that I was given this chance. At the end of the day I felt like a part of the family and I will be forever grateful for that.

Anna Fritsch