Mascletà

A mascletà (pronounced in Valencian: askleˈta is a pyrotechnic event characterized by the achievement of a noisy and rhythmic composition that features, particularly during daytime, in street festivities; it is typical of the Valencian Community (Spain). It gets its name from the ''masclets'' (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. These are usually fastened at a medium height with ropes or raised by cannons.

Unlike the fireworks that seek visual stimulation, the ''mascletades'' (pronounced in Valencian /maskle'taes/ and written in an informal way as ''mascletaes'') aim to stimulate the body through strong rhythmic sounds of ''masclets''; some people consider these sounds as "musical" sounds, while not neglecting the importance of the visual aspect. What distinguishes a mascletà from a succession of explosions is the rhythm that ''masclets'' must create to explode. It is essential that the force of the explosions must gradually rise, before coming to a dramatic conclusion; because without that, a mascletà can not be considered as such.

Places in Valencian Community where mascletades are let off

The ''mascletades'' are famous throughout all the Community of Valencia but those especially well-known are from March 1 to 19 at 2:00 pm in the ''Plaça de l'Ajuntament'' of Valencia and from March 3 to 19 at 2:00 pm in the ''Plaça del Regne'' of Alzira, both during the Fallas festivities. There are also ''mascletades'' during the festivities of the Magdalena in Castellón and in Alicante from June 19 to 24 in the ''Plaça dels Estels'' the festivities of the Bonfires of Saint John. For some years, the ''mascletades'' have also been introduced during the August festivities in Elche.

History

Initially the ''mascletà'' was let off in the ''Plaça de l'Ajuntament'' of Valencia on March 19 (Saint Joseph's Day) as the culmination of the festivities. Afterwards, the number of ''mascletàs'' was extended up to the current 19 (from March 1 to 19).
The ''mascletà'' of Valencia has continuously evolved, especially in technique and in the amount of powder used.
For security reasons the amount of gunpowder has been limited to 120 kg per mascletà. The only exception has been on March 19, 2008, when the limit went up to 240 kg. The technique has evolved and nowadays electronic programmes are used to ignite the explosions. This allows more accuracy and increases safety. Traditionally, pyrotechnicians would ignite the mascletà with a wick.

Parts

A mascletà usually consists of four parts:
*''Start'': The show begins with both sound and visual effects.
*''Body'': During the central part of the mascletà the intensity and volume goes up.
*''Terratrèmol (earthquake)'': The powerful firecrackers called masclets, burst in unison.
*''Air show'': Intense aerial fireworks. They are always visible for spectators and are accompanied by colours.

Innovations have been introduced in these four parts, and they have made mascletades more complex than a "traditional" structure. The use of electronic controllers allows complexity and a combination of both air and ground pyrotechnics.

External links

Explanation of a mascletà in DistritoFallas.comArs Sonora in the Valencia mascletà
The mascletà as a sound art, in the programme Ars Sonora, by Miguel Álvarez-Fernández, in Radio Clásica.
Videos of Valencia mascletades 2008Page on pyrotechnics section on mascletades València

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mascleta
Valencian culture
Festivals in Spain
Fireworks events in Europe
Traditions involving fire
Articles containing video clips
Falles