On August 15th at the fantastic festival Virgen de la Antigua, a spectacular public fireworks display illuminated the sky of Almunecar during 20 minutes.  Over 100.000 spectators watched the spectacle. Certainly great to look at, and drawing a lot of spending visitors to Almuñécar, but is it worth it? Many people question using tax payers’ money on this form of entertainment, especially now in a world that is on fire, with unemployment rates soaring and armed disputes on every continent.

Whereas communal fireworks are safer than private ones, the moral question is: Could the money spent on this entertainment be put to better use helping the poor and unemployed? To this many might argue that the poor or unemployed also enjoy fireworks. Of course they do, especially the children, but there are so many other ways to celebrate, with other less costly and less detrimental forms of entertainment.

Many facts speak against the use of fireworks; The mortality rate of gunpowder explosion burns in factory accidents is high. In India and China, child labour is still used in the manufacture of fireworks. Nearly half of all the fireworks produced in China fail to meet basic quality and safety standards. Irresponsible and criminal use of fireworks poses a danger to both the people using them and innocent members of the public. Firecrackers, rockets and sparklers accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments during 2001. Children are 11 times more likely to be injured by fireworks. Fireworks explosions can cause tinnitus and even deafness. Bottle rockets are the single greatest cause of eye injuries requiring hospitalization, because their flight is erratic, their fuses are non-standard and their explosive power is enough to turn a ‘launch site’ bottle or can into shrapnel.

Fireworks can be very stressful to animals and wildlife. Dogs often run and catch thrown fireworks in their mouth believing them to be toys. Unfortunately these loud noises and bright flashes frighten dogs and small children. Many animals break free or jump fences to try to escape the terror.

Animals fleeing from fireworks often get lost or killed. A friend of mine lost her dog while letting her out of the car during a fireworks explosion in Almuñécar. The dog, a lovely Airdale terrier called Duffy ran for her life, and in spite of searches all around town she could not be found. The problem was that the family had temporarily moved to another house, and the dog had stayed there only for some days before the accident, so it was even more difficult for her to find her folks.  This story had a happy ending, because after two weeks a scruffy Duffy showed up in front of her temporary home. Clever dog! You can imagine the joy of her owners. What we learn from this is that you should always keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are let off. But it is not that easy. Spontaneous, private fireworks can come as a surprise.

According to news from friends in Almuñécar, this summer has seen a lot of fine festivities and happenings; flamenco, jazz, concerts, you name it. Let’s hope there is something left for us migrant Nordics when we come down. The activities of Los Nórdicos start on October 8th at 17.30 at Hotel Victoria with a friendly get together over a drink, a Flamenco show and information about the forthcoming programme. The first trecking tour will go to Lenteji West on Thursday October 16th. Participants meet near the helicopter tarmac at the market place at 10 a.m. as usual.