In 1943, the Moncloa Residence opened its doors, inspired by the late Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, as a continuation of the Jenner Residence. In March of 1944, the Dean of the Colegio Mayor (Vicente Mortes) proposed to the Director (Pedro Casciaro) with the possibility of celebrating a grand festival dedicated to the patron of the college, Saint Joseph, witha Valencian inspired Falla.

Since then and with the only interruption coming during years work was being done on the university, students have built and burned Fallas in the honor of Saint Joseph, each March. This event always arouses much interest from the university community, as well as the neighborhood. Our small event here at the Colegio Mayor has echoed that of the national presence of the Falla events in Valencia. In the university display case, the Buñuelo de Oro (Golden Donut) is shown, which was given to the Central Fallera Board in recognition of its outstanding work.

In addition to the festival of Saint Joseph, numerous cultural events are organized. Since the 1950s, we have celebrated the Gran Pepada, a festival of music and laughs. The Scholarship Ceremony has also taken place during this same week of Saint Joseph. Shortly after, with the new scholars wearing their distinctive red collars, they are presented to the Great Fallera. Together with these other ceremonies, films, auditions, discussions, and conferences are held.

The Falla has always been an occasion for the students to offer forth a rather satirical vision of contemporary life, either inspired from their social or university life. The artists consist of the residents of the college, whereby the project is directed by the Fallera Comission, and everything is funded by the Department of Fellows. Architecture, painting, sculpture, music, pirotechnics...all the arts are used in order to create such a spectacular piece. Since the first Fallera artist, arquitect Luis Borobio, the knowhow and illusion has been passed down from generation to generation. For those who are alumni, the Falla is one of the fondest memories of their stay at the university. For them is also the great Festival of the Alumi, which culminates in the final and beautiful detail of the Cremá (Burning) .

The Falla of Moncloa has evolved and incorporated new elements each year since its inceptoin. Since 1976, a tradition has been practiced of naming a Great Fallera who - since the 1980s - has been “the last dean´s fiancé.” In all truthfullness, there is no Falla Band, whereby the celebratory music is performed in the form of a Concert. The use of fireworks has increased the need for safety, whereby dancing around the burning Falla has been discouraged since the loss of a large tambourine… What never fails, though, is “the Miracle of the Falla:” the idea of finishing just in time for the festivities.

This exhibition tries to demonstrate the past years of art, culture, and celebration, and as once said in the Falla Proclamation of Vicente Mortes, the festival has been and will always be one of “tradition and joy.”

Ricardo Calleja Rovira
Director