Authorisation of state aid for Valencia’s Fallas sector owing to events being cancelled as a result of Covid-19

Question for written answer  E-001123/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Adrián Vázquez Lázara (Renew)

Las Fallas are a tourist event of great social, economic and cultural importance. In addition to being classified as a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, in November 2016 Unesco included the Fallas on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2017 alone, these festivals created 7 580 jobs (direct and indirect), generating EUR 26.7 million in social security and personal income tax contributions.

According to estimates by the regional government, the economic loss owing to the cancellation of the Fallas in 2020 amounted to EUR 700 million. Many sectors are affected: hospitality, transport, costume-making, Fallas artists, bands, discos and entertainment.

It is far from certain whether the Fallas will take place in 2021. Everything depends on how the health crisis pans out.

In March last year the Commission approved a Danish plan for EUR 12 million to compensate for the losses caused by the cancellation of major public events due to Covid-19.

Has the Spanish Government or the Autonomous Community of Valencia asked the Commission to grant approval for exceptional state aid on account of major public events being cancelled due to Covid-19, as Denmark did a year ago?