Friday August 28, 2009, starting at 5 pm
Saturday August 29, starting at 5 pm
La FALLA: The fabulous European Fire Festival, happening in Montreal
On-site at TOHU, experience one of Spain’s most majestic traditions—the magnificent fire festival known as La FALLA. The “FALLA” (say “Fa-Ya”) is a towering wood and paper mâché sculpture, constructed with loving detail and then burned at an enormous public celebration. More than 350 people will spend their summer building the FALLA, including a designer and head craftsperson, painters, a workshop assistant, young people acquiring job experience for the first time (the “Falleros”), children from local day-camps and volunteers—all devoting their considerable energy towards making the end-of-August bonfire and fireworks a success.
On Friday, August 28, the night before the burning of the FALLA, come dance under the stars to the irresistible samba rhythms of the Brazilian band Estação da Luz, the final show in our Latin Fridays program. On Saturday, August 29, at 5 p.m., the fifth annual La FALLA fiesta begins with strolling players, a play space for children, music and a méchoui supper ($). This will be your last chance to gasp in admiration at the vibrant detail and colour of the 10-metre collective sculpture. At 9 p.m., everyone big and small will be holding their breath as the fire festival begins, followed by the burning of the FALLA and a gigantic bonfire and fireworks display. Fire has been a powerful symbol in every culture throughout history, and this promises to be a night to remember. As the embers glow, the party continues with hot music to loosen your bones by Habana Café.
7,000 people came out last year to share in the magic. Why not join us at our fifth annual fire festival and be touched by the evanescent beauty of this spectacle, this bringer of hope!
schedule
Admire O Hasard Balthazar! before it goes up in flames!
Until Saturday August 29, you can admire this unique collective sculpture on the Public Square at La TOHU – all 10 metres of it, while the entire construction team and several volunteers add the final touches. The lighting will be especially designed to let you admire the colours of O Hasard Balthazar! by night. Until Friday August 28, write down a wish on a piece of paper and put it in one of the four dreams collectors - FALLA characters who will bring your wish with them the night of the fire. Who knows, your dream might come true…
Friday August 28, 2009
At 5pm
Terrace and music
At 7 pm
Animation
At 8 pm
Estação da Luz (show / brazilian music) part of the Latin Fridays program
Until 11 pm
Dance under the stars with the music of DJ Baby
Saturday August 29, 2009
On-site animation
Beef barbecue (méchoui ($))
Burning of the 10-metre collective sculpture
After the burning of La FALLA
Habana Café show (cuban music)
LEND YOUR COLOURS TO LA FALLA!
The FALLA team will count on the active and volounteer participation of Compagnons de la FALLA during the four months of construction of this gigantic structure. Why not contribute your artistic talents to this collective work? For more info, contact: idm@tohu.ca / 514 220-7120
La FALLA photo contest
La TOHU’s large pay-parking area is open for all events.
