Por Pablo Arranz 
Sergio Gómez highlights the «sense of movement» and «contrast of colors» of the children’s monument that will be set up on Wednesday, June 18th.
Barcala visits the workshops of the two artists and emphasizes «the spectacularity» of the adult monument and «the didactic value» of the children’s monument.
Alicante, May 29, 2025.- The finishing touch of the official bonfire ‘Identity’, being finalized by Pedro Espadero, will be raised on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 17th, as announced by the artist during the official visit to his workshop made this Wednesday by the Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, along with the Councilor of Festivities, Cristina Cutanda; the Belleas del Foc, Adriana Vico and Valentina Tárraga, and their Ladies-in-Waiting; and the president of the Federació de Fogueres, David Olivares. At the end of the visit, the mayor highlighted «the spectacularity» of the adult monument and «the component and didactic value on the awareness of responsible water use» of Sergio Gómez’s proposal for the children’s monument.
On the night of Monday, June 16th, eight trucks with long trailers will transport the entire bonfire, escorted by the Local Police, from the workshop at Pla de la Vallonga to the Town Hall Square. By Wednesday, June 18th, 95% of the planting work will have been completed, which will finish the following day.
The artist, during the visit, emphasized that 75% of the bonfire structure, according to the rules, is made of wood «taking into account respect for the environment.» In the same line, he predicted a «long» burning. One of the aspects that caught the attention of the Belleas del Foc and their Ladies-in-Waiting was the 17-meter diameter of one of the parts that make up the finishing touch, which rises to 20 meters. ‘Identity’, with 20 days left before it can be seen in the Town Hall Square, «is 95% complete,» Espadero affirmed.
Sergio Gómez, when explaining the most striking features of the official children’s bonfire ‘H20’, commented that «the contrast of colors will be eye-catching, with a predominance of blue tones.» Unlike the 2024 one, it «will offer a sense of great movement because it includes figures that appear to be in the air.» The bonfire is «virtually» finished except for one of the central figures, «although I am within the deadlines I have set,» he maintained.
An allegory to rain, one of the largest pieces of the bonfire set, has generated the most comments among Valentina Tárraga and her Ladies-in-Waiting. Gómez announced that the planting work will begin on the morning of Wednesday, June 18th. He expects them to finish on the same day «so that the next day, before helping with their bonfires, the children can get to know the one that represents all of them in the Town Hall Square.»
This is the tenth consecutive year that Pedro Espadero and Sergio Gómez have won the Official Bonfire competition. It is the eighteenth one that Espadero has done overall and the twelfth for Gómez in the Town Hall Square. The budget for both bonfires amounts to 143,500 euros. Of these, 118,500 are allocated to the adult bonfire and 25,000 to the children’s bonfire.
Characteristics
The official adult bonfire 2025 will not exceed 20 meters in height, according to the contest rules. Its base will not exceed 12×12 meters, without both dimensions coinciding. The basic materials will be cardboard and wood. The plaques must be written in Spanish and Valencian, and the number of ninots, original figures, will be a minimum of 28.
The children’s bonfire will not exceed 3 meters in height. The base will not be larger than 3×3 meters. Cardboard and wood will also be the basic materials in its construction. The plaques will have identical characteristics to the adult bonfire, and the minimum number of ninots will be 18. The adult bonfire must be fully planted by 6:00 a.m. on June 21st. The children’s bonfire, at the same time, on June 20th.