The Almuñécar branch of the left-wing party, Unidos Podemos, has presented a motion calling for firework displays to be reduced in number and limited in extent.

Everything from the huge firework displays in the summer to celebrate patron-saint fiestas, to modest amounts of fireworks at weddings, go with a bang.

In fact, even football-match victories are celebrated with fireworks.

In Spain, fireworks are a big business and no fiesta is complete without its castillo de fuego, as large firework displays are called.

The most incomprehensible custom for foreigners are the alegre despertar, which consists of sending up distress rockets in pairs, every couple of minutes, starting at 08.00h, which rattle windows and doors in the homes below.

But whether it is the artful decoration of a night’s sky or the sadistic torment of distress-rocket barages, the decibels involved are sometimes unbearable, especially for animals.

The World Health Organisation puts 120 decibels as the limit above which damage can occur in human hearing, yet most explosive fireworks can surpass 170 decibels.

It is for this reason that the UP wants the Town Council to limit the number of events where fireworks are used as part of a celebration, as well as reduce how many fireworks can be used on these occasions. In fact, they want to limit firework use to the official castillos de fuegos to the one on the 15th of August, for example.

Editorial comment: fireworks are fast becomeing obsolete; a vestige of the 19th Century like zoos. The future is light displays using lasers and swarms of multi-colour-lit drones, controlled by computers that produce amazing figures in the sky without the noise.

Update: This motion was rejected in the latest Plenary Meeting of the Town Council.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)