The Veterans of the Alicante Fire

It is 4:30 PM on a Sunday when the 'mascletà' has been cancelled. However, five Alicante women with fiery eyes are having coffee after sharing another day of food and conversation, wearing their blouses and fleeces. They often wear these garments more than they expected, as the candidacy has brought them together. They are the veterans of the Alicante fire.

They hold this title, created by themselves, because «we are the oldest,» since the last few months. After being 'belleas' of their respective districts during 2024, they are experiencing a new journey as candidates for 'bellea del foc' of the Alicante Hogueras. For some, it's not the first time, but the second or even the third.

The veterans of the fire are Silvia Silvestre Puchol, from the Parque-Plaza Galicia bonfire and the group's favourite, jokingly considered the one with the most chances; Ruth Tejón Uceda, from Bulevar del Pla-Garbinet; Inmaculada Berna Pardo, from Bola de Oro, 'bellea' for two consecutive terms; Gema Román Carrasco, from Virgen del Remedio-La Cruz; and Ana Belén Balibrea Sánchez, from Parque Lo Morant, the soul of this group.

The five keep their sashes before putting them on during an interview with TodoAlicante to detail who they are and why they are the veterans of the fire. The title comes, on one hand, «as a joke of mine,» admits Ana Belén Balibrea, while Ruth Tejón adds that «we are the ones with the most experience» having been 'bellea' several times.

«Some of us have already been 'bellea' in our year and are repeating,» Gema Román also notes. In her case, she repeated the role alongside her daughter, the child 'bellea' of Virgen del Remedio-La Cruz, an experience she has lived on stage during presentations, dinners, events, 'mascletàs', and the main days of Hogueras, hand in hand. «There was no adult 'bellea' and my daughter proposed it to me.»

Among other curiosities of this group is the story of Ruth Tejón and Silvia Silvestre. Both were 'belleas' 30 years ago, in 1994, of their respective districts and have shared the same experience during the past term. In Silvestre's case, «I have been 'bellea' of the 20th and 50th anniversary of the Parque-Plaza de Galicia bonfire.» Coincidentally, the jury also includes Luis Botella, who chaired the Managing Commission in their first year as 'belleas'.

Another reason they have in common is what unites Inmaculada Berna and Ana Belén Balibrea, who have been 'bellea' of their commissions in 2024 because there were no candidates willing to take the role, as also happened in Virgen del Remedio-La Cruz and Bulevar del Pla-Garbinet, where Tejón handed over the presidency to her son Adrián Domínguez after 14 years to become 'bellea'.

Moreover, as a request, the representative of Bola de Oro signed a napkin that she has framed at home where she committed to it; while the one from Plaza Lo Morant did the same with a ten-euro note. Her bonfire also involved her husband, Miguel Ángel Martí, to convince her with the gesture that he would accompany her to the candidate events, like the catwalk.

Both in their year «when you see yourself,» explains Silvia Silvestre, and during the various events of candidates for 'bellea del foc', the veterans have been strengthening bonds. Some connections existed, but the union of the five has been forged in recent months. «We are very different and have connected well,» assures Inmaculada Berna.

Additionally, the creation of this title also stemmed from a hurtful comment they received during the first candidates' meeting. It was there that the 82 aspirants for 'bellea del foc' were given instructions on the process and details of the journey, as well as resolving doubts. In one of those, regarding whether they could not attend an interview or event for work reasons, the response from the managing body, they claim, was: «It's not necessary because that way you don't waste time.»

Months later, they describe this comment as «hurtful, it made us very angry.» «We know we are not going to be chosen for anything» and «we are coherent and clear that we will not be part of the fire,» are statements they reveal during the discussion among the five. «Why can't we be chosen because of age? We are good representatives,» exclaims Tejón.

And indeed, their ultimate goal is not to integrate into the official court as 'bellea del foc' or 'dames d'honor', but the goal they have pursued has been to support a district, their bonfires, so that they have representation during the term. In fact, regarding age, they anticipate that «in the future there will be older 'belleas del foc' and 'dames d'honor' because more people are needed,» as is already happening in some districts that publish the search for representatives on social media.

The spirit does not wane in the five veterans of the fire, quite the opposite, it grows with each passing day. «Since we know we are not going to be chosen for anything, we come to enjoy.» And so they do during the scheduled events, where «we repeat outfits and everything,» jokes Ana Belén Balibrea. «We like to look fine and elegant, and if we have to repeat, we repeat,» Silvia Silvestre also emphasizes.

During these weeks, they have experienced interviews with the jury, meals at the CDT, candidate meetings, among many other events, with their sights set on both the gatherings - «we are already looking forward to Albacete» - and during the days of the catwalk and selection. With their eyes on the bullring, Inmaculada Berna confesses, «I would like to hear one of your names.»

Meanwhile, they cherish the moments lived where the sense of unity grows. «When I said goodbye as 'bellea', I highlighted my veterans, five women who together have shown that age is not necessary to represent,» recalls Gema Román, while all of them boast of expressions of affection, like the words of the president of Bola de Oro, Paco Giménez, when he saw them at the racó: «It is an honour to have the veterans here.»

During the afternoon spent with TodoAlicante, the idea of creating, in the future, a veterans' club to integrate all those «older» women who decide to hold the position of 'bellea' of a bonfire has been opened. They already have a president, Paco Abad, from Carolines Baixes, and also a photographer, Miguel Ángel Martí.

These five women - Ruth, Gema, Silvia, Inma, and Ana Belén - are also the past, present, and future of the Alicante Hogueras, along with many others, and they write their names in capital letters in the golden book of the city's official festivities.