My paranoid theory was that a tiny group of embittered residents – much resembling my neighbor – were responsible for scaring the Ajuntament into acceding to their no noise demands. Curious, I stopped by Barcelona's Institut de Cultura's office to inquire about activities on Rambla del Raval for La Mercè this year. I asked friendly press officer Álvaro López whether the long tradition of La Mercè had ever generated noise complaints. He explained, “many neighbors love the festival, although, yes, some are bothered by it.” Álvaro came off as a reasonable guy who probably enjoys a good party but would be bothered by excessive noise, just like anyone else. No conspiracy here.
However, my suspicions were fanned speaking to Francesc Llorca, President of the Associaciò de Comerciants de la Rambla del Raval, a group made up of local businesses. Last year, on behalf of the Associaciò, Francesc called for the return of La Mercè to Rambla del Raval and led a campaign to collect signatures. He says the Associaciò promotes activities with a positive impact and emphasizes, “The Raval continues to be a stigmatized neighborhood.” According to him, the group’s petition went unanswered.
So what gives? Why no Mercè on Rambla del Raval in 2008? Last year, Ciutat Vella's representative, Itziar González, said the decision represented the city's strategy to open up the Mercè to other areas and to avoid concentrating activities in one space. She also pointed out that Raval residents have “suffered greatly” as a result of recent construction projects like the Illa Robadors. Sounds reasonable, but also like someone’s been complaining. Militant neighbors?
On my last investigative stop, I dropped into neighbors association Associació de Veïns del Raval de Ciutat Vella, signed up as a socio, and requested an interview with their president, Pep García. A gruff guy – my request for an earlier interview based on our print deadline was refused – Pep has been defending the interests of Raval residents for a long time. According to Pep, “Our association was the only interlocutor between the government and Raval residents” in negotiations to expropriate 1,800 families when Rambla del Raval was built years ago.
Working myself up to the burning question, I asked Pep if his Associaciò was opposed to Mercè
concerts on Rambla de Raval. He confirmed that they “do not support activities that prevent neighbors from sleeping” and that in years past, the Associaciò sent letters to neighbors in order to distance themselves from Rambla concerts that were happening. Still, it's hard to say how much power the group wields. According to Pep, the Ajuntament does what it pleases. Pep also criticized the Ajuntament for organizing “low quality” activities in the neighborhood, asking, “Why doesn't the Ajuntament organize a wine fair here?”
Unexpectedly, I found Pep and Francesc to be on the same side. No one wants open-air concerts with droves of youngsters drinking beer bought from illegal lateros. It’s no mystery then that the city appears to have stopped organizing them. And so I'm left with a nostalgic sadness of what gave Rambla del Raval some of its magic, and a feeling that intolerance is a graver sin than noise.
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