Las Fallas festival, Valencia

The term 'fallas' refers to both the celebration and the sculptures created for it. Each neighbourhood of Valencia produces its own sculture - this one, 'the Kiss' was made in the Nou Campanar suburb
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

The women who take part in the festival are know as 'falleras'. Here they watch the Mascleta, an event in which hundreds of explosive fireworks are set off
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

'Ninots', or wooden dolls, are put on display for the Mascleta fireworks
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

Valencia's main square is filled with smoke during the Mascleta
Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA

A technician oversees the setting off of firecrackers in Valencia's main square
Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA

Participants from the Nou Campanar neighbourhood put the finishing touches to their sculpture 'the Kiss'
Photograph: Heino Kalis/Reuters

Participants from the Nou Campanar neighbourhood put the finishing touches to their sculpture 'the Kiss'
Photograph: Juan Carlos Cardenas/EPA

'Fallas' are painted in preparation for the last day of the festival
Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

This structure caricatures the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and his wife, Carla Bruni
Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

A sculpture depicting the US president, Barack Obama, as Superman carrying his wife Michelle
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

Matador Enrique Ponce prepares to take part in the 'Las Fallas' bullfight
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

'Falleras' in their traditional dresses
Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA

A 'fallera' attends the Mascleta fireworks display
Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA

Drivers take part in a vintage car rally that form part of the festival
Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

A young 'fallera' dressed in traditional costume takes a rest ahead of the festivities
Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA

'Falleras' watch fireworks from under their at Las Arenas beach
Photograph: Juan Carlos Cardenas/EPA

A traditional "ninot" sculpture burns during the last day of the "Fallas" festival in Valencia, Spain Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

A traditional "ninot" sculpture burns down on the last day of the "Fallas" festival in Valencia , Spain Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

A traditional "ninot" sculpture burns during the last day of the "Fallas" festival in Valencia, Spain Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images