The Municipality of Machico, in Madeira, will maintain the traditional Fechos Festival, which will be lit on Saturday night, states the Mayor, Ricardo Franco, confirming that all safety conditions are met.
“The tradition of the torches is a secular event and this year will be no exception. The event will be held in the same way as it has been done in previous years,” said Ricardo Franco; stubbornly in a press statement.
The Mayor assured that all safety conditions are met, despite the fire raging in Madeira for more than a week. He further reminded journalists that in previous years despite whatever fire was ravaging the island, these fires were lit.
The Mayor of Machico (PS) explained that before the lighting of the beams, a “preventive burning” is carried out by the fire brigade, in the spaces where they are located.
“The grass is burned, the undergrowth that exists next to the beams, which means that even on the day of the lighting any embers that fall from the structure no longer burn, because the space has already been cleared,” quoted the Mayor, adding, “during the lighting of the torches, which lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, about 20 firefighters will monitor “the entire process.”
“In the summer of 2016, when the big fires in Funchal happened, which unfortunately killed people, the lights were carried out. What it seems to me is that there is an attempt here to transform this remarkable tradition into a kind of scapegoat for what is happening in Madeira. I think it makes no sense to be trying to put on the same level of the criminal activity of arson, an event that is prepared with care and follows all necessary precautionary procedures,” reiterated the Mayor.
The PAN/Madeira indicates in a note released today that it has formally requested the municipality of Machico “the cancellation of the traditional burning of the torches, as a sign of respect and solidarity with the firefighters who, heroically, have fought tirelessly to fight the fires” and “in honor of the vast area of territory that was tragically destroyed by the flames.”
In a statement, they said:
“We recognise the cultural and historical importance of this tradition in the municipality of Machico. However, given that it involves the use of torches and fire, we consider it inappropriate and even disrespectful at a time when our island is ravaged by fires. This practice, although controlled, symbolises something that currently brings immense pain and concern to Madeirans,” says the party’s sole deputy in the regional parliament, Mónica Freitas.
“This appeal has been made even by other party forces and environmental associations, namely Quercus, and it should be in this sense of unity that, putting political colours aside, we appeal to the responsibility and common sense of the region’s Mayors as well.”
In the note, the PAN also indicates that it promoted a petition against the burning of the torches, which at 16:15 yesterday (Wednesday the 22nd) had gathered 382 signatures.
On Wednesday, at a press conference, the president of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, did not oppose the holding of the event “as long as it does not jeopardise the means” of fighting the fire and “does not have implications” for Civil Protection.
The Regional Secretary for Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, had previously stated on RTP/Madeira, that the religious festival should take place without the burning of the torches.
This centuries-old tradition is part of the religious feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
The torches symbolise the bonfires that were made in the past to warn the population of attacks by pirates and corsairs.
The rural fire on the island of Madeira broke out on the 14th of August, in the mountains of the municipality of Ribeira Brava, progressively spreading to the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and, through Pico Ruivo, Santana.
The authorities have instructed close to 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and have made public reception facilities available. Many residents have returned to their homes except those living in Fajã das Galinhas, in Câmara de Lobos.
Fighting the flames has been hampered by wind and high temperatures, but, so far, no homes or essential infrastructure have been destroyed.
The Judiciary Police is investigating the cause of the fire, but the President of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, said it was arson.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
