Barraques Tarragona denounces the eviction from Passeig de les Palmeres after 20 years

Barraques Tarragona has been expelled from Passeig de les Palmeres after two decades of organizing the alternative Santa Tecla festival. This decision was communicated without offering any alternative space, leaving the future of one of the city's most emblematic celebrations in limbo.

For 20 years, this entity has brought together more than 15,000 people and 140 volunteers each edition, becoming a space for culture, diversity, and citizen participation that is now threatened for obvious political reasons.

Barraques Tarragona and its expulsion from Passeig de les Palmeres

What exactly happened at Passeig de les Palmeres?

The Councilor of Culture, Sandra Ramos Garcia, notified Barraques Tarragona on June 26 of her decision to unilaterally expel them from Passeig de les Palmeres without any alternative proposal. This measure comes after 20 uninterrupted editions at this location and has been interpreted by the entity as an action motivated by political interests.

According to the official communication, the decision was not justified by technical or safety reasons, which makes it clear that this is a political issue. This lack of transparency has generated discomfort and confusion among the members of Barraques Tarragona and their followers.

Why does this decision matter to the neighbors and the city?

Passeig de les Palmeres is a central and symbolic space for Tarragona. Barraques has established there an inclusive and incident-free festival that attracts thousands of people year after year. Losing this space could mean the disappearance of a social activity that many neighbors expect as an essential part of their major festival.

Moreover, the festival has historically been a meeting point for various generations and groups who have found in this space a way to celebrate local culture and peacefully express social demands. Its disappearance could imply a cultural and social impoverishment that will hardly be replaced.

The trajectory and involvement of Barraques Tarragona in Santa Tecla

Who is behind Barraques Tarragona?

Barraques Tarragona is a federation of social, cultural, and sports collectives from the city, such as Casal Popular Sageta de Foc, Futbol Club Tarraco, the Housing Union of Tarragona, the Socialist Youth Organization, and the Pataquers of URV. All work voluntarily and selflessly to organize a diverse, safe, and respectful festival for the neighborhood and the neighbors.

During these 20 years, the collectives have maintained close collaboration to guarantee that the festival is a space of inclusion and respect, avoiding disturbances to the neighbors and incidents that could affect coexistence. This philosophy has been one of the pillars that made the festival so well received.

How has their activity impacted Tarragona?

More than 15,000 people participate each year in Barraques, with the collaboration of 140 volunteers. The festival has been a meeting place and social claim that has enriched Santa Tecla with a critical and inclusive perspective, bringing unknown realities closer to the citizenry.

It is a space where popular culture combines with social advocacy, which has made many young people and citizens identify with the festival. Their ability to mobilize such a large number of people without incidents also demonstrates a high level of organization and commitment.

The response and actions of Barraques Tarragona after the decision

What has been the entity’s immediate reaction?

Barraques Tarragona has submitted a request to the City Council demanding transparency in the criteria that motivated their expulsion. The spokesperson, Carla, described the measure as unfair and outrageous, stating that the city seems reserved only for those governing it or for economic interests.

Carla emphasized that this decision shows that popular organized spaces have no place in Tarragona if they do not fit with the dominant political interests, and that this endangers the cultural and social plurality of the city.

What steps does Barraques Tarragona plan to take?

The entity expresses its willingness to defend its right to maintain the festival at Passeig de les Palmeres and demands responsibility from the City Council to guarantee the continuity of an activity that is part of Tarragona’s cultural DNA.

In addition to the official request, Barraques Tarragona is preparing visibility actions and mobilizations to pressure the authorities and secure the space they have occupied for 20 years, with the support of the citizenry and other collectives.

Such a well-established scenario does not disappear overnight; the tension between politics and popular culture is palpable and will generate debate in the city.

Source of the article: Barraques Tarragona