Statues of Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu Burned in Spain

In March, Valencia transforms into a massive open-air gallery. The giant figures for Fallas are created over months and are then ceremoniously burned on the last night of the festival.

This time, during the Fallas festival in Spain, satirical statues depicting US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among other political figures, were set ablaze alongside various other famous individuals.

The central theme of many of the works in 2026 focused on global conflicts and military politics. One of the figures depicted Trump and Netanyahu under the guise of Satan with bombs, while another portrayed Trump in a Santa Claus costume armed with missiles.

The burning of the figures at Fallas traditionally symbolizes purification, a farewell to the hardships of the past, and a welcome to spring. In recent years, Trump has repeatedly been a subject of satire during the festival. In 2026, artists used his image to critique policies regarding Iran and Gaza.

Overall, more than 700 such monuments were burned in the city. The only figure that is saved from the flames each year through popular voting is moved to the Fallas Museum.