From Hobbyist to Special Category: The Journey of Adrián Alcaraz

In 2001, as a young boy, Adrián Alcaraz first stepped into the Alicante Bonfires. As a participant, he joined the La Ceràmica bonfire, having been introduced to the festive atmosphere by childhood friends.

Since birth, this Alicante native has been connected to the festive scene, particularly in the Moros y Cristianos of Altozano. Both he and his family are part of the Zíngaros de Altozano, a troupe they know intimately.

However, he always enjoyed exploring new things and experiencing different celebrations. "I met a boy while playing as a child who was in the bonfire, and I joined." Since then, from that 2001, he remains with La Ceràmica.

This year, Adrián Alcaraz will experience a completely different June. This bonfire enthusiast, by profession an artist, will debut in the Special Category of the Alicante Bonfires, planting the children's bonfire in his district.

Thus, this young man who enjoyed watching the plantàs of the Gómez Fonseca Brothers will be a protagonist in a week, seeing 'Ókulus' planted, a bonfire that culminates exclusively - as he has paused other projects for this commission - in his workshop.

The trajectory of artist Adrián Alcaraz is notable for turning his hobby into his life and profession. While painting his last ninots for La Ceràmica, he reflects on the years that have passed.

"What fascinated him most were the nights of plantà," he recalls about his early days as a bonfire enthusiast. He mentions with special fondness, excitement, and emotion the last one by the Gómez Fonseca brothers in the Special district.

These experiences ignited in Alcaraz more than just admiration. Those nights of plantà, lived between coca amb tonyina and figs on June 20, were the origin of his vocation.

After attending the bonfire artist course offered by the Local Development Agency, Alcaraz found himself in the workshop of Sergio Gómez. With the internship, a relationship began that led to the official bonfire craftsman becoming the young apprentice's mentor.

The effort of Adrián Alcaraz year after year in the workshop of Sergio Gómez was evident, to the point that the artist encouraged him to create his first children's bonfire. However, here's the anecdote. "Just as he encouraged me then, when I told him I wanted to take the Guild exam, he said no."

From that time, the young artist confesses that "anyone can plant a small bonfire in very low categories." Thus, he gradually increased his level and experience.

"I had much to learn," until another opportunity to take the exam arose, and this time, Sergio Gómez "saw me as ready." The artist did not hesitate to endorse Alcaraz, who took the test alongside Roberto Climent, with whom he currently shares a workshop, although they work independently.

This June, Adrián Alcaraz debuts in the Special children's category of the Alicante Bonfires. He does so in his commission, La Ceràmica, after spending a couple of years in this section of the Fallas, where he has achieved significant successes. In Benicarló, he won first prize in his debut in the unique category with "a high-budget project."

Thus, he emerges at the intersection of Martin Luther King and Olof Palmé streets with 'Ókulus' a year after the proposal. The artist and bonfire enthusiast still recalls the rumours circulating in the racó during the 2024 Bonfires about his potential signing with La Ceràmica.

He confesses he didn't want to get his hopes up and even avoided attending the end-of-year assembly. It was there that his hiring was discussed, the moment his phone rang.

"The whole racó cheered and asked me to come," and so he did. He received the news, which he still remembers with great emotion. "I will never forget it," nor all these years, especially this 2025 at La Ceràmica.