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| With the cante and guitar playing contests | Sofía Manrubia "We do not want the essence of our Festival to be lost, so we request the Plenary of the Corporation to carry out the LX Edition of the International Festival of Cante de las Minas this year, in a different format, and according while we are living, going back to the origins of the 1961 contest, a contest that was held outdoors, and only holding singing and guitar contests.

"A few weeks ago we learned of the decision of the Cante de las Minas Foundation which, on the proposal of the mayor of our municipality, agreed to postpone until 2021 the celebration of the LX edition of the International Festival of Cante de las Minas due to the coronavirus pandemic In such a way that, after 59 consecutive years, La Unión can stay for the first time without holding an edition of the most prestigious and important Flamenco contest that exists worldwide.However, and despite understanding the prevention criteria that have guided this decision, we understand that it has been somewhat hasty and that both the subsequent positive evolution of events at the health level, and the prescriptions that the Government of the Nation has approved to govern the period that has been called "new normality", they open a window to optimism in order to recover the celebration of our most emblematic event.In fact, we have already seen how last week the city of Murcia held its first open-air concerts, which will last throughout the summer, which Cartagena has also announced that from July shows and performing arts return to the public thoroughfare, and that even Molina de Segura has confirmed that its International Theater Festival will be held in September in different settings, both covered and outdoors.Undoubtedly, and as it is going to happen in these other towns in the Region, Cante de las Minas should be held in a very different format from the one we have been enjoying for the last decades, but not necessarily less attractive because, in fact What we propose from the Popular Party of La Unión is a return to the origins of the event, with a much smaller program and in a different location, but full of symbolism.In view of the above, we understand that all are advantages, some of which we will now list:A symbol that does not give up.

As much as the Festival means to La Unión, the fact that an edition as special as the sixtieth is not lost means that the spirit of struggle and resistance to adversity that has always permeated Unionenses is still alive and beating in their hearts.

And that even in times as hard for everyone as the coronavirus is causing, our people are able to rise up again in the face of harsh circumstances so that their good name again sounds high and strong worldwide thanks to its quintessential cultural manifestation .A boost for the economy of the municipality.

It does not escape anyone that the hospitality and commerce of La Unión are suffering in a very special way from the consequences of confinement and the restrictions of the Alarm State.

And that they have always received with open arms the important movement of tourists and fans that year after year come every month in August to their establishments faithful to their appointment with the best jondo art.

Even if it is in a shorter format, the fact that La Unión can regain that commercial activity for three days would undoubtedly be the best news for our hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.A support for flamenco artists.

The paralysis of social activity has brought with it that the world of Flamenco is going through one of its worst moments, with many professionals without the possibility of earning a living with their art.

This question was consulted with the "Unión Flamenca", the entity corporate that brings together the representation of the entire sector, from it we have been transmitted the importance of the event being held, since it can mean for many of its represented the possibility of fighting in good artistic competition for the prizes of the contest, a question that For a large number of them it has become a matter of vital importance due to the tremendous complexity of the moment they are experiencing.A good opportunity for La Unión.

This format would obviously bring about a very significant reduction in the Festival's usual costs, by eliminating most of the main expense chapters (caches of the Galas artists, air conditioning and interior production, prizes for suspended Contests and contestants' allowances, general expenses, etc.), but nevertheless it would generate an extraordinary media repercussion, with the national and foreign media highlighting that the Mining Lamp, despite everything, has continued to deliver for another year.

And that will undoubtedly imply some advertising returns for the municipality that we are not in a position to waste and more when they would be at a really low economic cost.Manrubia shows the proposal as feasible, positive and according to the time we are living, and says the following: 1.- That in this edition the Festival dispenses with the Galas and is limited exclusively to the Contests, as happened during its first years of life.2.- That only the Singing Contests (the only one that existed until 1979) and the Guitar Playing (which joined the current list of musical competitions) be held.We understand that in order to guarantee the maximum sanitary measures for the protection of artists, the accompanying tables brought by both dance contestants and flamenco instrumentalists make the risks greater on stage, a situation much easier to control in singing competitions.

(with a single cantaor or cantaora together with its guitarist) and Toque de Guitarra (exclusively with the interpreter of said instrument).3.- That in order to increase the safety of the public and artists, and given that the temperatures at the time allow it, the Festival is held outdoors, in the Plaza Joaquín Costa itself, serving as the backdrop for our monumental Public Market, and next to the symbolic place where many of its first editions were held until 1977, the Jardines de la Terraza Mery, with a facade facing that same square.To this end, and once the Royal Decree Law approved by the Council of Ministers on June 9 last has eliminated any reference to limitation of capacity in public shows, establishing that the only three conditions to be met are to keep a distance 1.5 meters between seats, that spectators wear masks and that crowds are avoided, nothing prevents the Festival from being held with the maximum guarantees.In this sense, and taking into account the great breadth of the Joaquín Costa square, our proposal includes that the municipal technical services determine the area to be occupied in the central part of the square and the maximum capacity of localities that would fit in it.

The resulting space can be delimited by a portable fence that is easy to install and remove.4 ..- That the Festival be held on the dates and times of the first fortnight of August determined by the organization, as is tradition.

Given the new smaller format, we consider that it would take three days (two for the semifinals and one for the grand final) for the event to run smoothly.5.- Lastly, and with the aim of eliminating economic costs and health risks, we also propose the suppression of selective tests that have traditionally been held in different parts of the Spanish geography and its replacement by a process of prior selection of artists by examining the actions that they send recorded in the audiovisual format that is indicated to them, as has already been done for many years by the organization of the event to determine the level of the applicants that could attend the said selective tests .

In this way, the selection jury will determine the participants who enter the semifinals of La Unión after viewing, examining and evaluating the submitted performances.In view of the above, we understand that all are advantages, some of which we will now list:A symbol that does not give up.

As much as the Festival means to La Unión, the fact that an edition as special as the sixtieth is not lost means that the spirit of struggle and resistance to adversity that has always permeated Unionenses is still alive and beating in their hearts.

And that even in times as hard for everyone as the coronavirus is causing, our people are able to rise up again in the face of harsh circumstances so that their good name again sounds high and strong worldwide thanks to its quintessential cultural manifestation .Manrubia, termina señalando que la realización del mismo supondría un revulsivo para la economía del municipio.

A nadie escapa que la hostelería y el comercio de La Unión están sufriendo de una manera muy especial las consecuencias del confinamiento y las restricciones del Estado de Alarma.

Y que siempre han recibido con los brazos abiertos el importante movimiento de turistas y aficionados que año tras año acuden todos los meses de agosto a sus establecimientos fieles a su cita con el mejor arte jondo.

Aun cuando sea en formato más breve, el hecho de que durante tres días La Unión pueda volver a recuperar esa actividad comercial sin duda supondría la mejor de las noticias para nuestros hoteles, comercios, bares y restaurantes.Un apoyo a los artistas flamencos.

La paralización de la actividad social ha traído consigo que el mundo del Flamenco esté pasando por uno de sus peores momentos, con muchos profesionales sin posibilidad de ganarse la vida honradamente con su arte.

Consultada esta cuestión con la "Unión Flamenca", la entidad corporativa que aglutina la representación de todo el sector, desde la misma se nos ha transmitido la importancia de que el evento se celebre, pues puede significar para muchos de sus representados la posibilidad de luchar en buena lid artística por los premios del certamen, cuestión que para un gran número de ellos se ha convertido en tema de vital importancia por lo tremendamente complicado del momento que están viviendo.Una buena oportunidad para La Unión.

Este formato traería evidentemente una reducción importantísima de los costes habituales del Festival, al suprimir la mayor parte de los principales capítulos de gastos (cachés de los artistas de las Galas, aire acondicionado y producción interior, premios de los Concursos suspendidos y dietas de concursantes, gastos generales, etc.), pero sin embargo generaría una repercusión mediática extraordinaria, con los medios de comunicación nacionales y extranjeros resaltando que la Lámpara Minera, a pesar de todo, ha seguido entregándose un año más.

Y eso implicará, sin duda alguna, unos retornos publicitarios para el municipio que no estamos en condiciones de desaprovechar y más cuando serían a un coste económico verdaderamente ínfimo. 

Source: PP La Unión