The health emergency caused by COVID19 has endangered the lives of all and all, as well as the festivities of the neighborhoods. The Deusto Festivities Commission suspended the Deusto Festivities from 13 to 22 March, so during the months of May and June there have been no celebrations organized by other neighborhoods, such as Indautxu and Elorrieta, among others. Zuloaga has explained that numerous attempts have been made to contact the City Hall and to gather information on the activities being carried out, although he has denounced that he has not yet contacted them.

In a statement, on 2 April last, they explained that they could not guarantee the holidays of May and June. After that note have you managed to clarify something with the City Hall?

In order to find a solution, we contacted the Public Space department, which allows us to manage all the festivities of the neighborhoods. Even though they thought that all activities were to be suspended until mid-June, we were not assured of anything. That was the only relationship we had.

On 6 May, a new attempt was made to contact the City Hall, this time by letter, with what purpose?

More than a month has passed since we contacted the Public Space department. In the media it was heard that on 8 May the Basque Government would meet with the municipal authorities to discuss the festivities of the capitals. We knew that what would be decided at that meeting would have a direct effect on the festivities of the neighborhoods and that's where we decided to write the letter. It was clear to us that we had to talk to people beyond public space, like the Youth Coordinator, Itziar Urtasun, or the mayor, Juan Mari Aburto.

After the decision to suspend the festivities of the neighborhoods that were to be held in May and June, what do you anticipate with the next summer parties? Shrines, San Ignacio...

Given this situation and the lack of response from the City Hall, each party commission has to decide what to do with the festivities, for example, some have not yet ruled out the possibility of celebrating them. The City Hall gave us the opportunity to postpone the May and June festivities in its day, but how long? Although we know that they don't have magic words to solve the situation, we think there's information that doesn't move to neighborhoods.

Why do you say that?

District culture technicians have delayed the programme of the coming months, in the media we heard yesterday at BBK Live 2021. How can it be not knowing anything and making decisions like this? The situation seems to us to be very contradictory.

Have you considered the possibility of the parties that have been suspended being held after the summer?

Yes. We have asked the party committees what they want to do and the truth is that there is everything: some have decided not to do anything until next year, while others have shown themselves willing to organise a small weekend party in September and October.

What economic impact has the holiday suspension had?

There is much concern because the festivities of the neighborhoods are, above all, the main source of income of the party commissions. In addition, the celebration of the festivities also benefits the hotel owners and small traders of the neighborhood, which are a strong point. Now more than ever we think it important that this aid be guaranteed to the shops of the neighbourhood, so when summer activities are carried out, rather than being held in a simple park, we want to propose to the city council that it organise small initiatives from the neighbourhoods, when it is willing to listen to our opinion.

From now on, you will have to take a number of security measures when it comes to organizing the parties. Will this influence the holiday model?

I guess. However, in the event of security measures being put in place, who will be responsible for such measures? : The ball is constantly being thrown into our roof. If we have to establish safety protocols, the City Hall should inform us of the details to know where to proceed.

The Deusto Parties Commission has suffered significant economic losses as a result of the suspension of the holidays. Has the City Council prepared a special grant to cover these expenses?

Not yet. The #BilbaoAurrera plan, presented a week ago by the City Hall, includes support for culture, but above all it is an aid to the creative industry.