A Floral Welcome for Cruise Passengers in Alicante

Tourists arriving at the port of Alicante will be greeted with flowers, quite literally. The Port Authority and the City Council have long focused on visitors arriving by sea on cruise ships. They come, stroll around in tuc tucs, shop, dine, and by six in the evening, it's bon voyage, ready for the next day's arrivals.

The formula has been a resounding success. Over a hundred cruise ships dock at Alicante's port each year, including some of the world's most luxurious. And the numbers are growing. Hence, a new terminal has been created to welcome them with all due honours.

The inauguration was scheduled for this Friday, but the orange alert for heavy rain quite literally dampened the event. Nevertheless, everything was set.

One of the most beautiful features of the new cruise terminal, as this parrot has been told, is the fabulous floral bust of a 'bellea del foc' that will greet cruise passengers. This piece is the work of Orquidea Haus, a renowned florist in Alicante, located at Calle Italia, 6, and was the first prize winner in the Hogueras window dressing competition.

Like the best 'ninots', it has been 'pardoned' and will serve as Alicante's introduction to all cruise passengers.

And speaking of ninots, the exhibition that will decide which figure is saved from the flames was inaugurated this Friday. The Lonja del Pescado once again hosts the scenes that the 91 commissions have decided should go down in the history of the Hogueras, although only one will make it.

The most striking aspect of the evening was the unveiling of the Official Bonfire's 'ninot', crafted by Pedro Espadero. Besides the mystery (it wasn't revealed until the inauguration itself), it's unusual for an official monument to have such a politically charged scene: a boxing ring where the mayor, Luis Barcala, fights with Compromís spokesperson, Rafa Mas, under the watchful eyes of other spokespersons: Ana Barceló (PSPV); Carmen Robledillo (Vox) and Manolo Copé (EU-Podem).

Rafa Mas was particularly thrilled. The mayor, although more accustomed to it, loves it. In fact, it's said he has mementos of all the 'ninots' dedicated to him over the years by the Hogueras. He can now add at least two more to his collection.