The Culture Delegation of the Junta Central Fallera (JCF) has published the rules for this term's declamation contests. There are three competitions in Valencian sharing a single registration window: from 29 October to 30 November 2026, through the JCF Virtual Secretariat (Trámites y Servicios, Inscripción, Declamación).

The first is the 65th Children's Declamation Contest, split into three age groups: 4 to 6 years (8 to 14 verses), 7 to 10 years (15 to 30 verses) and 11 to 14 years (31 to 40 verses). Alongside it run the 31st Junior Contest, for participants aged 15 to 17 reciting from 40 verses, and the 11th Senior Contest, for over-18s with a minimum of 80 verses.

The rules set several conditions. Each entrant chooses their own poem, as long as it fits the length required for their category, and must attach it as a PDF at the moment of registration, together with a head-and-shoulders photograph on a white background sent to cultura@fallas.com stating name, category and falla. Verses cannot exceed 14 syllables: anything longer counts as prose and is out of competition. Wearing the regional costume is not compulsory, but entrants must dress correctly as a sign of respect for the contest.

Prizes are first, second and third in each category, plus an extraordinary prize for the best overall entrant in the children's event. All three contests also award an extraordinary prize for the best unpublished poetic text, written by a registered fallero and recited in the contest itself. The children's category has a specific award for each level, and organisers ask entrants to state at registration that the poem is unpublished and to identify its author.

The contest is held in a single round, on a date still to be confirmed, and the jury's verdict — the panel is appointed by the Culture Delegation — will be published on fallas.com. Children's prizes will be handed out at the Children's Culture Gala, while the venue and date for the junior and senior awards will be announced later.

Sources:

  • Junta Central Fallera (fallas.com), 31 Oct 2026 — Bases concurso de declamación
  • JCF, rules of the 65th Children's Declamation Contest 2027 — PDF
  • JCF, rules of the 11th Senior and 31st Junior contests 2027 — PDF