Baver-Els Antigons Secures Artists for 2026, Two Months Before Alicante Bonfires

"The blind trust they have in us is a compliment," say Paco Torres and Fernando Foix after learning that the Baver-Els Antigons bonfire has decided to renew their contracts for the 2026 season. The agreement was sealed this Saturday in front of the rest of the Special commission.

Two months before the Alicante Bonfires and "without having seen the sketches yet," the bonfire has decided to continue its relationship with the artists for the upcoming season. The decision was communicated mid-week, before knowing the projects that will be planted in the district.

Upon hearing the decision, Paco Torres expressed surprise. "I asked them if they had thought it through," he jokes proudly, seeing how Baver-Els Antigons acknowledges his work. He is also grateful to continue "with the people who accompany me on this journey," within his trajectory in the Alicante Bonfires.

Meanwhile, the children's artist Fernando Foix also acknowledged that renewing so far in advance "is not a usual thing." Therefore, he is "very happy" to know he will continue with Baver-Els Antigons. "The bonfire hasn't seen anything," he admitted upon learning of the renewal, "the trust they place is appreciated."

The president of Baver-Els Antigons, Iván Gómez, emphasized that "this move not only represents a commitment to continuity but a true declaration of intent" by having "a well-thought-out strategy, based on the solidity of a collaboration that has responded with talent, commitment, and results."

In this vein, he states that "we are super proud to have them, and for us, it is a privilege that they plant in our corner," reflecting on recent years: Paco Torres is heading for his sixth plantà in 2026, and Fernando Foix is preparing for his seventh.

"It's the commission I've worked with the longest," Foix also points out. He has done so both solo and in tandem with Grego Acebedo and Iván Tortajada. Moreover, his track record includes a silver, a bronze, two consecutive golds in recent years, and a not-so-considered eighth place.

The artist describes the renewal as the "highest exponent" in his career in Alicante, especially under these conditions. Regarding whether he aims for a triple first prize, he acknowledges that "there's no harm in trying," but he comes to Alicante to enjoy and showcase all his art: "The city has a special aura that attracts me a lot."

In this line, he also values that in the Special category "the best are there" and the rest of the commissions also "go all out betting on the bonfire." In his case, he also opts for Antigons for this reason, to unite all his efforts in the central axis of Alicante's official festivities.

Similarly, with this yes, Fernando Foix will continue accumulating plantàs in the Special children's category of the Alicante Bonfires, despite his recent break in the Valencia Fallas. "For personal reasons, I needed to take a break, rebalance the workshop after so long, and study" the terrain in the 'cap i casal'.

In the case of Paco Torres, the artist values the "close relationship" he maintains with the Baver-Els Antigons bonfire. "It's easier to work this way, they provide facilities on their part, and that makes you grow," as he has seen moving from the second category to the Special in just three years and fulfilling his fifth year in the top section this 2025.

The Valencian also acknowledges that the city of Alicante "gives you freedom" and allows artists to enjoy in a different way, compared to the Fallas. "It's very fun to face different challenges," as he does every year on Nadadora Carmen Soto street. He also values the relationship with Fernando Foix: "He's an exceptional guy, fantastic, and someone I admire a lot professionally."