The Anís Tenis pigeons are closer to remaining linked to the Luceros mascletás. After considering their presence at Alfonso el Sabio lost this year due to security restrictions, the company now sees options to find a solution that allows maintaining a tradition associated for four decades with the ritual preceding the Hogueras fireworks. Its manager, Santiago Limiñana, estimates the chances of finally being present at the mascletás are now "70-30" in favor, although the solution is not yet finalized.
The move comes after the publication of Anís Tenis's absence and the support expressed by the president of the Federació de Fogueres, David Olivares. Limiñana also highlights the involvement of the mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, and the president of the Alfonso el Sabio hoguera, Jorge Cuesta, in trying to find an alternative. "The mayor has taken sides in this," states the manager, who insists on thanking the support received in recent hours without creating conflict with the City Council or emergency services.
The company had not submitted a project this year, understanding that the new security requirements made the installation of the van at Alfonso el Sabio unfeasible. Limiñana explains that preparing such documentation incurs a cost, and they did not want to bear it if the permit was likely to be denied. "It costs a thousand euros to get a permit only for it to be denied," he points out. Now, if a path opens up, the organization would have to act against the clock, planning personnel, ice, water, and all the necessary materials to serve the public.
The manager assures that he is awaiting contact from the Councilor for Festivities, Cristina Cutanda, to clarify the situation. As he explains, Barcala has conveyed that this contact must occur to study how Anís Tenis's presence around the mascletás could be resolved. Limiñana avoids making reproaches and prefers to emphasize that, since the situation became known, he has perceived a clear commitment to try to prevent the tradition from being lost this year.
The support has not been limited to the institutional sphere. The manager states that presidents of hogueras and barracas have called them to offer help and possible spaces at Alfonso el Sabio. Olivares has also offered them the possibility of holding tastings at the Federació's market stall. Limiñana appreciates the proposal but maintains that the tradition's essence lies in the street, next to the mascletà and open to everyone. "We want to do it in the street, for everyone," he emphasizes.
That nuance explains why the company does not consider any alternative location sufficient. Anís Tenis's presence was not just a promotional action, but a scene integrated into the wait for the fireworks: the van, the queues, the hats, the pigeons, and the public on their way to Luceros. The brand has always argued that the tasting made sense due to its direct link with the mascletà, not as a separate event elsewhere in the city.
The tradition began about 40 years ago, initially as a collaboration linked to the Hernán Cortés hoguera, and later opened to the public, becoming a recognizable image of June mornings. The company estimates that over these decades it has distributed around 840,000 pigeons and about 28,800 liters of drink between June 19 and 24. This is in addition to nearly 180,000 hats during the years when that promotional item was also given away, as well as the fans distributed in other stages.
The situation occurs in a year particularly marked by the debate on security, street occupation, and the presence of auxiliary elements during the Hogueras. New requirements and perimeters have affected various locations and activities linked to the main days, including the Alfonso el Sabio area itself. The company had interpreted that this new framework made its installation unfeasible, which is why it did not proceed with the application.
Now, however, the scenario seems less closed. Limiñana remains cautious but acknowledges that the support received has changed the perspective. "Everyone has rallied around us," he notes. The manager states that the company feels "very proud" of the response from the Festival and the city, and assures that these gestures have made them feel recognized as part of an Alicante tradition. "We've been moved to tears," he admits.
The final decision will depend on whether a viable formula is finalized in the coming days. If it goes ahead, Anís Tenis would have to activate logistics that usually require two weeks of preparation in a very short time. If not, Alfonso el Sabio will lose a scene repeated for four decades this year. For now, the door is open again, and the Anís Tenis pigeons are once again looking towards Luceros.
