Bonfires Social Work and Lo Morant Join Forces to Share Costs Amid Resource Shortage

Sustaining a bonfire is a year-round, arduous task, as any "foguerer" knows well. Therefore, the Obra Social and Parque Lo Morant committees have decided to join forces this year to ease some expenses. Both will share the official parades during the 2025 Bonfires: the Band Entry and the Flower Offering will proceed together, using the same bus and the same music band.

With this approach, the two committees have found a way to tackle the rising costs of the festival. Although they are still fine-tuning how exactly they will integrate into the parades, both "fogueres" agree that this collaboration is a practical solution to a shared situation: there are fewer "foguerers" and less community support.

David Adrover, president of the Social Work of the Home commission, explains that in the northern area of Alicante, there is a growing foreign population that does not engage in the festivities, and traditional commerce has been disappearing. "The situation is increasingly challenging for the northern sector bonfires. Neighbourhood support is scarce, fewer booklets and advertisements are obtained for the "llibret," and the commissioners bear all the costs. If there are fewer of us, it is very difficult to carry out an exercise," he states.

Although parading together is a measure born out of necessity, the initiative has been enthusiastically received. Pilar Espinosa, treasurer of Lo Morant, highlights that the "foguerers" have welcomed the proposal with joy. "This is the first year we are doing it, but we do not rule out repeating it in the future," she acknowledges. In her committee, the high cost of expenses such as the bus to the Offering or hiring the music band has also been a factor. "Economically, these are very humble neighbourhoods, and sharing the cost is a good solution," she assures.

Especially in the committees furthest from the centre, the cost of the band is compounded by the rental of the bus that transports them to the start of the official route. Just between accompaniment and transport, the expense can exceed 800 euros, an amount both have decided to split.

In Parque Lo Morant there are 45 commissioners, including children. In Social Work of the Home, 29 people are responsible for filling the neighbourhood with life and colour during the main days. On June 21, both committees will parade together to the rhythm of the Planeta Azul band from Aspe.

Looking to the future, they do not rule out using this shared formula again, although they make it clear that they are not considering a merger of committees. "It wouldn't make sense, we are each in a different part of the neighbourhood," Pilar points out. David, for his part, notes that the next exercise is uncertain: "For now, we are going to get through the Bonfires and see how many people we have afterwards."

Both agree that the best part of sharing the band and bus has been the good relationship that has been forged among the commissioners.