On February 22, 2025, the Spanish municipalities of Albal, Aldaia, Alaquás, Benetússer, Catarroja, Massanassa, Paiporta, and Quart de Poblet will come alive with color and sound as they host the largest simultaneous mascletà festival ever attempted. This pyrotechnic celebration, organized by renowned firework companies under the auspices of Heineken Spain's Amstel brand, aims to honor the responsive spirit of the Valencian community following the devastating floods caused by DANA (an acronym for Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, or isolated depression at high levels) back on October 29, 2023.
Scheduled to commence at 7 PM, this one-of-a-kind event is set to light up the night sky with 3,600 kg of fireworks synchronized across multiple locations, creating dazzling displays lasting approximately six and a half minutes. The project is organized by notable pyrotechnicians Ricardo Caballer and José Luis Clemente, who are no strangers to designing large-scale shows.
Caballer explained the intent behind this stunning display, stating, "We want to show everyone nationally and internationally, Valencia never forgets." His emphasis is on creating happiness and support for those still affected by last year’s calamity, reaffirming, "We are never going to forget them; we want to show everyone what Valencians can achieve when they come together."
The mascletà will feature not only spectacular fireworks but also messages of solidarity, such as the fiery 50-meter banner stating 'feta de germanor' (made of brotherhood) displayed at Paiporta. This message resonates deeply within the fabric of Valencia's communal identity, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience.
Marketing manager for Amstel, Javier López-Valcárcel, remarked on the significance of the festival, saying, "This spectacle wants to sum efforts and demonstrate once again, the Valencian is a solidary people who always reborn after the worst moments." He added, “If this serves to bring even a touch of happiness to those affected, it will have been worth it.”
The logistics of organizing such a grand event have not been without challenges. Extensive preparations have been underway for weeks, involving more than 40 workers from both pyrotechnic companies along with GPS technology to coordinate the fireworks launch across the eight municipalities. This marks not just another festival, but potentially the most significant symbol of recovery and joy for the towns united by their trials.
With high hopes and anticipation, Caballer elaborated on the emotional weight of the event: “Every mascletà is special, but this one demands extreme precision and synchronization.” The urgency to send powerful messages of remembrance and support through the beauty of fireworks is not lost on the community nor the organizers.
Adding to the excitement, the Valencia Firefighters Consortium has deployed over 70 personnel to provide safety measures during the event. This includes firemen, command units, and forest brigades (BRIFO) with over 20 vehicles to monitor and manage the crowd, ensuring everyone can enjoy the show safely.
José Vulcano, another key pyrotechnician, discussed the responsibility they felt leading up to the launch: “We know thousands wait for this moment. Each shot is unique and requires immense respect for the power of the fireworks. The safety and the emotion go hand-in-hand.” This deep-rooted appreciation for their craft resonates with everyone involved, echoing through the preparations leading to this historic event.
Notably, Chiva and Utiel also participate as part of this honoring initiative by Amstel, though logistical reasons necessitated their events being held at different times, at 2 PM and 7:15 PM, respectively, on the same day.
The simultaneous lighting of the fireworks is more than just a festive occasion; it serves as cultural balm and restoration for the cities most affected by the past disaster. For the residents and attendees, it’s about gathering together, rekindling love and joy, and indulging shared experiences amid recovery.
According to López-Valcárcel, the cultural commitment of Amstel shines through this event: “We want to continue creating magical moments integral to the identity of Valencia, and this mascletà is clearly one example of it.” Plans for gatherings and initiatives to support the affected locales will likely continue beyond this festival, demonstrating collective upliftment fueled by community spirit and solidarity.
So, as the clock ticks down to showtime, Valencia prepares for not just entertainment, but also for taking back their night, as color fills the sky, echoing the promise of resilience, togetherness, and love for the cities within this cherished region.