The Councilor for Festivities of the Arrecife City Council, José Alfredo Mendoza, has denied that he is neglecting the murgas, after they showed their "indignation" at "the total neglect and lack of attention" on the part of said Councilorship. "I don't think it's a neglect. I understand that the murgas are a group that has been preparing the Carnival festivities for some time because they are their festivities and obviously they need issues that are quick, but we are working at full speed", Mendoza pointed out.
In this regard, the mayor has stated that the City Council has been "working since September, just since the San Ginés festivities ended, with the carnivals, with all the specifications, the contracts that it entails...". "And it must be understood that these are festivities that I believe are the most important that are celebrated, where almost all the departments of the City Council are involved", he pointed out.
In addition, José Alfredo Mendoza has stated that he has met with the murgas "on two occasions" to listen to "what they demand most to guide the competition". "They sent us a draft of their proposals at the end of October and we have drafted rules that I believe are in accordance with their demands, although it is true that perhaps not all of them can be met", said the mayor, who nevertheless stated that said rules are "in their final stage" and that he hopes to "send them" to the murgas "this week".
In any case, although the Councilor for Festivities of Arrecife has pointed out that he understands "the concern" of the murgas to see how the rules are, he has also pointed out that "they are almost the same every year".
"The Fairground will be adapted to the best conditions"
Regarding the fact that the competition will be held at the Fairground again, José Alfredo Mendoza has pointed out that it is an issue that he already discussed "with them". "We considered the possibility of moving it to another area of the city, but given that we have the infrastructures and spaces that we have to host an event as important as the murgas, where about 1,000 people attend, perhaps the best place for us to be located until we find a different option is the Fairground, even though it may not be to everyone's liking", he pointed out.
However, the mayor has insisted that the Fairground will be adapted "to the best conditions" that "the murgas themselves demand regarding sound and space". "That is what we are working on and have been working on throughout these months", he added.
The town crier will be announced "during this week or next week"
Regarding who will be the town crier of the Carnival this year, the Councilor for Festivities has stated that it will be announced "during this week or next week", as will the poster.
In addition, the mayor has insisted that the City Council is working to ensure that the city has "decent festivities" and that it is seeing what musical performance "can be brought". "We are looking for possibilities, seeing what we can afford and develop", he concluded.
