The town of Santa María de Guía has made the decision to forgo fireworks for the first time in its Virgen festivities, on both the eve and the main day. The aim is to safeguard the health of individuals with health disorders and prevent the stress experienced by animals.
Mayor Alfredo Gonçalves explained that it is necessary to move towards less harmful spectacles, anticipating that noise will be replaced by light and color. He notes that other municipalities are already considering adopting similar measures for next year.
Pyrotechnics, although traditionally associated with celebrations and involving significant investments, are increasingly being questioned for their direct impact on human and animal health, as well as air pollution, according to environmental organizations.
“"They gave us an example, like putting on a helmet, seeing nothing, and constantly hitting yourself. We must have respect and empathy."
Alfredo Gonçalves made this decision after hearing from the educational community about the harm suffered by children with autism in special needs classrooms. His personal experience with his own dog, who suffered epileptic seizures due to the noise of fireworks, also influenced his determination.
As an alternative to the traditional firecracker display, a 'videomapping' projection onto the church facade is planned for midnight this Friday, serving as a prelude to the main day of the festivities.
The mayor acknowledges that the initiative, which is innovative in Gran Canaria, has garnered both supporters and detractors. "These are steps that must be taken," he stated, mentioning that other mayors have expressed interest in following suit next year.
The measure affects spectacles organized by the City Council, specifically the fireworks on August 14th and the firecracker display on the main day (August 15th) following the procession of the patron saint's image. The municipality had already reduced pyrotechnic use in previous years and tested low-acoustic impact alternatives.
Previously, the Guía City Council had suspended fireworks in 2023 due to a maximum alert for forest fires. In 2022, a motion by the PP to regulate pyrotechnic use, linked to issues with animals, people with auditory hypersensitivity, and the environment, did not gain traction.
