The LlamaFest festival, which initially planned two gastronomic events focused on embers (one for meat and one for rice dishes), has been canceled by the Canet d'en Berenguer City Council. This withdrawal is part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination (PSTD), funded by Next Generation European funds, which includes 13 activities with a budget of around 2,000,000 euros. LlamaFest, with an allocated budget of approximately 150,000 euros, aimed to de-seasonalize tourism in the municipality.
The origin of the conflict lies in the festival's first bidding process, which led to legal issues. After one company appealed the award to another, the Central Administrative Court of Contractual Appeals (TARC) ruled that the beneficiary had not properly proven its solvency. The delay in the TARC's resolution meant that the deadline for holding the festival was missed, forcing the council to terminate the contract due to lack of time.
Subsequently, a new bidding process was initiated, dividing the events into two separate gastronomic occasions. However, the company that appealed the first tender filed new appeals, prompting the TARC to issue precautionary measures. Given the impossibility of resolving the procedures before June 30, the deadline for completing the acts, the Canet council has decided to withdraw.
As a solution to avoid losing European funds, the council has reinvented the project under the name "Lúmina, Arrels i Sentits, luminary and audiovisual art that celebrates our roots and senses." This new festival, which follows up on the one held on May 22 and 23, will be divided into two new events. The first will take place on Monday, June 22, featuring an outdoor paella competition with live music at the venue originally intended for the Paella Institute. The council will provide ingredients for 10-person paellas, with a limit of 80 participants.
The second event will be on Tuesday, June 23, coinciding with the Night of San Juan. Under the name "Mar d'arrels," a light show and a DJ festival will be held in the Plaza de los Pescadores starting at 00:15. To ensure the light projections, part of the square's sailcloth has had to be removed.
