Alicante City Council will implement a new decree starting from the 2027 Hogueras that will limit the number of 'racós' to one per bonfire. This measure, announced by the Councillor for Festivals, Cristina Cutanda, will be compensated by the creation of new municipal public concession leisure spaces distributed throughout the city. These new spaces will have controlled programming regarding hours, safety, cleaning, and coexistence.
According to a study presented by the councillor, the economic activity generated by these new spaces will help cover various festival costs. This will allow for an increase in the municipal subsidy allocated to festival committees by €185,000, reaching a total of €1,095,900, representing a 22.54% increase compared to the current €820,900.
Cutanda emphasized that the new 'racó' model aims to protect the festival towards its Centenary, promoting Hogueras that are compatible with coexistence and neighborly rest. The goal is for these spaces to operate in an orderly, safe, and transparent manner, adapting to the festival days and respecting the central events.
The councillor explained that the decree seeks for leisure to also finance the festival, so that the economic activity of the new spaces contributes to covering expenses such as 'mascletàs', fireworks, or protocol services, thereby freeing up municipal resources for the Hogueras.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that the decree aims to reduce a comparative grievance between bonfires in the city center and those in the neighborhoods, ensuring equal opportunities in financing. Committees will be able to choose which of the 'racós' installed in 2026 they wish to maintain.
The drafting of the decree was driven by situations recently detected, such as advertising by leisure companies in second and third 'racós', or ticket sales, which could suggest exploitation by third parties of spaces authorized for festival entities. Cutanda insisted on compliance with the rules, citing the ordinance that prohibits the transfer of enabling titles to third parties.
Finally, the councillor stressed that the City Council could not ignore this situation and that the decisions made aim to guarantee the future of the Hogueras, which are approaching their centenary.
