Josep Mateu yesterday recalled an idea that suddenly, at this moment, has more possibilities than ever of materializing. The president of the RACC and of Sport Cultura Barcelona took advantage of his intervention in the central debate of the VIII edition of the summit organized by the merchant associations of Barcelona Oberta to propose that the village of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix be moved to the Paseo de Funny.
In this way, Mateu argued, complicity between citizens and this top-level sports competition would increase. “We have had Formula 1 for more than 30 years,” he added during his speech at the old Damm brewery factory, “and to maintain it, to withstand the growing competition from a lot of emerging cities and countries that are precisely now taking the first steps. "We need the complicity of the institutions more than ever."
In reality, Mateu could not have chosen a better setting than the Barcelona Oberta summit to raise this idea. On this occasion, the day of exchange of ideas that the main commercial hubs of the city organize each year focused on the importance of major events when it comes to promoting cities. And the debate, it could not be otherwise, quickly led to the importance of having the complicity of the institutions. Public-private collaboration goes far beyond subsidies and banners.
To Luis Sans, president of the entity of merchants of the axis in question, of the Passeig de Gràcia Association, who was among the audience at the summit, to move the village of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix to the most stately axis of the city seems like a great initiative. “And the truth is that it is time,” Sans added. In recent times, the City Council has always been very reluctant to collaborate with these types of events. In a certain way because of certain ideological apriorisms. Many were not happy that the City Council contributed to the promotion of the motor sector, even if it was being renewed, as it is doing. They even wanted the carcass of a Formula 1 car to be planted in public space so that people could take photographs. I don't know if it will be possible to do it next year, if there will be time. But right now the sensitivity in the City Council is very different.”
In any case, other institutions, such as the Generalitat itself, must also rule on this issue. This year and also the previous one, Barcelona's Port Vell already hosted the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix village. It was an initiative promoted mainly by the PSC of the municipal government at the time. There, in Port Vell, race simulators, stages for concerts, children's areas... In reality, a great citizen festival aimed above all at bringing this competition closer to all Barcelona residents, whether they have a ticket or not. The Copa del América also plans to organize a party of this style. In this way, citizen complicity is forged. Social sustainability is another fundamental aspect when organizing large events.
Primavera Sound also seeks the complicity of institutions, such as Barcelona City Council. The promoters of this musical festival hope to soon know the municipal plans for the large marine platform of the Fòrum. Alberto Guijarro, co-director of Primavera, explained yesterday during his intervention in the summit debate that this platform hosts the main concerts of the festival, and that it is essential for its future.
Then, behind the scenes of the Barcelona Oberta meeting, which became a kind of protest platform, Guijarro himself explained that a few days ago municipal technicians explained to them that the City Council executive wants to study the future of this platform, consider what role it could play. in the city, leaving behind so many years of improvisation. For now it is a political debate. In reality, the successive Barcelona governments of this century put this issue on the table at one point or another. “What we want is for them to take us into account when deciding the future of this platform,” Guijarro added.
