Jesús Machín questions why the Cabildo does not extend the craft fair until Monday

Jesús Machín confirms that finally this year there will be no autos sacramentales in Los Dolores, nor fireworks

Austerity will once again mark the Los Dolores festivities, despite the fact that this year marks its 25th anniversary. Precisely for this reason, the mayor had announced that his intention was ...

August 30 2013 (15:43 WEST)
Jesús Machín confirms that finally this year there will be no autos sacramentales in Los Dolores, nor fireworks
Jesús Machín confirms that finally this year there will be no autos sacramentales in Los Dolores, nor fireworks

Austerity will once again mark the Los Dolores festivities, despite the fact that this year marks its 25th anniversary. Precisely for this reason, the mayor had announced that his intention was to recover the autos sacramentales this year, reducing the expense involved and with financial support from the Cabildo, but finally it will not be possible.

Jesús Machín himself announced this on Radio Lanzarote ? Onda Cero, where he confirmed that the festivities will once again be held without autos sacramentales, and also without fireworks.

The autos, which involved an expense of 30,000 euros according to the mayor, were eliminated in 2007 due to the high cost. However, Machín clarifies that this year, the Brito family, which is in charge of this representation, had adjusted the budget. "Calculating in the most economical way, it was about 10,000 or 12,000 euros, counting the material, the floats, the volcano fireworks, the camels, the tractors, the staff...? But I don't have the means for that, I can't spend that," the mayor pointed out.

"I would have liked to take out the autos, because it was planned, but nobody wants to put the money in and in the end, also talking to the priest, he told me that it was better to save it for the families in need, which I totally agree with," he added.

For the same reason, for the second consecutive year there will be no fireworks either, although in this case it was already a decision made. "I can't spend 12,000 or 15,000 euros that they cost in recent years, as the situation is. That, that I give it to the people who need it, is fine, but burning it by throwing gunpowder into the air, and people going hungry, I don't see it so well. I respect those who set off fireworks, but I don't share it," Machín pointed out. "What I have to do is make sure that my neighbors don't go without eating, that the children don't go without going to school, that everyone gets a piece of bread, that my colleagues get paid...?"

"The Cabildo wasn't going to go bankrupt for that"

What Jesús Machín does not share is that an economic effort has not been made to extend the Craft Fair for one more day, considering that this year Monday is a holiday. "I wanted it to be from Thursday to Monday, but the Cabildo has said it can't", Machín pointed out, showing his disagreement. "With such an important fair, for the artisans too, I don't think that the Cabildo of Lanzarote is going to go bankrupt for one more day, nor is anyone going to go bankrupt. It's a gift that could have been given to the artisans, but they say no and I'm respectful."

In any case, although his intention was to take advantage of the Monday holiday to maintain the craft fair and celebrate the autos sacramentales that day, Machín has announced that they are looking for other alternatives so that people can still come to Mancha Blanca during that day, with videos and images that recall the 25 years of history of this celebration.

"Within the austerity that exists, well, to make a party as good as possible, using imagination, the things we have in the town and that it be a fun party, but not wasteful," he explained.

Defense of the town crier

In addition, Jesús Machín has also defended the election of the town crier, who will be the president of the Government of the Canary Islands. "The controversy that Paulino Rivero is the town crier of Los Dolores, has been had by whoever wanted to have it. As long as I am mayor, I will bring important people who have contributed something to this municipality," he stated.

"Who says that I can't appoint Jerónimo Saavedra next year, for example?" he asked, defending the qualities of the socialist politician. According to Machín, his party colleague "Paulino Rivero has the same right as the others."

"Tinajo has given him normal treatment, but it is true that he has always had special attention for me", he admitted. "And in these moments of crisis, I have to thank the president of the Government, the Minister of Agriculture and the Deputy Minister, because after a struggle of three or four years for the sanitation of Tinajo, the work has now been awarded."

In the same vein, he referred to a "call" that he had to make to prevent the Health Department from trying to charge the City Council for the services it is going to provide during the festivities. "They sent me a letter and it's normal for the technician to do it, but I make a call and it's solved." "And whoever doesn't like it, I'm sorry," he concluded.

Most read