The Ninot Exhibition Opens with a Touch More Criticism, Alicante Style

The Fish Market in Alicante is filled with the scent of Bonfires. The blend of cardboard and paint delights the senses, heralding the aromas that will fill the city's streets in the coming June. For now, this is the preview with the ninot exhibition.

The 91 bonfire commissions have placed their treasures twice over, alongside those of the barracas and the official ones. Also, the models from the children's competition. All of them are now on display following the inauguration held this Friday.

The rain couldn't dampen the festive spirit. Foguerers and barraquers gathered at the exhibition hall's entrance to kick off the final stretch of the calendar. The flame was lit by the belleas del foc, Adriana Vico and Valentina Tárraga.

They were responsible for cutting the inaugural ribbon in front of all attendees, alongside the Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, and the Federation's president, David Olivares. Both were omnipresent, in both flesh and cardboard and paint.

Both have been 'victims' of local criticism, which the artists have captured in the ninot exhibition. This year, they've added a touch more, in the Alicante style, though there's also some at the regional level, with just one ninot dedicated to Mazón—though there are more alluding to the DANA and its effects—shared with Hércules CF, and nationally with Pedro Sánchez, Ábalos, and Ayuso.

Current affairs are also present in the ninots, with themes such as housing, social media, professions, or women's empowerment. Elements of the city itself also converge in the exhibition, alongside tributes to great figures and legends of the Bonfires: Pedro Luis Sirvent, Paco Juan, Pascual Domínguez, Remigio Soler...