Fallas was destined to the republican cause at the beginning of the war. On 10 March 2020, the Valencian Generalitat, after a Ministry of Health report, decided to suspend and postpone the parties of Fallas and all the acts that comprise it as a result of the coronavirus epidemic as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the virus. Secció Especial The Secció Especial is a group of the largest and most prestigious falles commissions in the city of Valencia. In 2007, the group consisted of 14 commissions. This class of falles was first started in 1942 and originally included the falles of Barques, Reina-Pau and Plaça del Mercat. Currently, none of these are still in the group. The commission that has most often participated in this group as of 2015 was Na Jordana, with 62 times. The Secció Especial awards the prizes with the exception of the one awarded by the town hall; winning the first prize in the Secció Especial is the most prestigious prize any falla can win. All other falles fall into different classes (18 as of 2017) determined by the amount of money invested in each falla. See also List of Winners of Sección Especial of Falles Falles gallery 2005 2008 2010 2017 References External links Official page for the Fallas Festival Official page for the Fallas Festival Organizing Committee Fallas Festival (in Spanish, Valencian, English, French and German) Promotional video of the Fallas Festival 2011 Explanation of all the Fallas events in English iPhone/iPod App for Las Fallas The Fallas in Valencia: The Beauty of Fire Traditions involving fire Patronal festivals in Spain Religious festivals in Valencia Valencian culture