Spanish MPs call for online festival guide

Barcelona-based political party Citizens has submitted a bill to the Spanish parliament urging the government to create an online guide to Spain’s music festivals.

The non-legislative proposal (proposicion no de ley, PNL) – a type nonbinding proposal that will be put to a vote in the Congress of Deputies – aims to highlight the work of festival organisers and the positive economic impact on communities in which the events are hosted.

Citizens MP Felix Álvarez tells promoters’ association APM the party’s proposal hopes to recognise the “value on the work of industry professionals, who bring together millions of people around music”; to market and promote festivals so potential attendees “can access information [about them] in a clear manner”; and ensure “all musicians can have exact information on the festivals that are celebrated in our territory, and have the possibility of making contact and requesting to participate in them”.

“The contribution of festivals … to the musical culture of our country is something we believe should be recognised”

“Almost 1.4m people went to the nine largest festivals in our country during the months of July and August,” reads the bill. “That was 3% less than the previous year, although it is still clear that festivals are one of the main engines of the [music] industry […] and very important to each town or city that hosts them.

“It is evident the contribution of festivals, not only to the business of music but to the musical culture of our country, is something we believe should be recognised.”

Spanish music/festival news site Dod Magazine has responded to the proposal, saying its own festival guide would provide a solution that eliminates the “need to spend public money”. Álvarez welcomed the idea, telling Dod he would be in touch.

Citizens holds 32 of 350 seats in the Congress of Deputies, Spain’s lower house, along with three in the Senate. It is the largest party in Catalonia, although it is strongly opposed to Catalan independence.

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