fallero

Fallero is a member of a falla, the neighborhood association that designs and maintains a falla, the large artistic monument central to Valencia’s Fallas festival. Fallas are typically built from wood, cardboard, and papier-mâché and displayed in public squares for several days before being burned on the final night of the celebration. Falleros and falleras participate in planning, fundraising, construction, and the daily activities that accompany the festival, including volunteering to staff events and maintain the sites.

Each falla is organized by a local committee led by a president and board. Members contribute to the artistic creation—design, carpentry, painting—and to logistics, cleaning, and crowd management. They also take part in formal proceedings such as the plantà (the installation of the fallas) and the cremà (the burning of the monuments), as well as in community events, processions, and competitions that recognize craftsmanship and originality. The roles are gendered in terminology, with fallero referring to men and fallera to women, though both genders participate across all levels.

Historically, the Fallas festival has deep roots in Valencian culture dating back several centuries. In 2016, Fallas was inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its social, artistic, and festive value. Attire for falleros and falleras varies; during official acts some wear the traditional Valencian costume, while in daily life many participate in contemporary clothing. The term fallero remains widely used to describe participants from the various local comisiones across Valencia and its metropolitan area.