Bonfires are finished for the season, and the community is looking forward to the next round of celebrations. Yet, those who manage the day-to-day operations of the party have confirmed the hazards tied to these bonfire gatherings.
It is evident that both the recent pandemic and the pressures from international politics have left a mark on how the events are organized and how the celebrations evolve. The coronavirus era brought significant loss of life and disruptions in commissions due to illness or job insecurity. The ensuing economic crisis drove costs higher, reduced regular volunteers, and strained sponsorships.
Last year, progress was possible thanks to savings from installing monuments over two years. Likewise, discounts were offered to committee members during that period. Looking ahead, challenges will grow: there is a need to broaden participation in bonfires and barracks, update association dues to cover rising expenses, and pursue new sponsorships or at least preserve current funding. Subsidies may be sought or increased to support operations.
In light of these realities, it is essential that the Federation assume decisive leadership:
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The focus should be on planning events that excite residents and party members alike, inviting active participation, and reviving the vibrant, colorful arenas that once electrified attendees, especially children. The schedule of the international public parade should be adjusted to avoid clashing with neighborhood festivals.
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Providing support and guidance to smaller commissions overwhelmed by bureaucracy when organizing events or applying for subsidies is critical.
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In the effort to attract sponsors, the Federation should not only back its own initiatives but also present sponsorship opportunities to various bonfire commissions. The Federation’s institutional position opens doors that many bonfire associations do not have.
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Ultimately, the Federation, representing all bonfire and barracks groups, should secure the maximum subsidies from public administrations and allocate them to commissions according to their monument budgets. The goal is not simply more funds, but to supply commissions with practical tools that reduce costs: musical bands, sound and lighting for presentations, transportation, and social venues, among others.
As noted earlier, while the Federation must lead the necessary reforms to ensure the party’s future, collaboration among different bonfire associations is vital. Together, they can mobilize members across districts, engage children, teens, and adults with low-cost programming that could even generate some revenue. Bonfire commissions should integrate into their neighborhoods, maintain connections with neighbors and local merchants, and welcome anyone who wishes to contribute to the festivities. Small, isolated commissions that consistently lag behind may consider mergers, as occurred with Goteta and Pla del Bon Repos. Above all, priority should be given to firework memorials to support the national and international reputation of the bonfire celebration.
To advance these objectives, the congress envisioned in the statutes should be convened promptly, not at the start of the year as previously stated, but at the beginning of the next fiscal year, in September or October at the latest. The renewal and strengthening of bonfires will begin next year, guided by unity and solidarity.