A new roundabout at the junction of Armada Española and Villajoyosa avenues with Brasil street has been the point selected by the City Council to install a white lateen sail, like the ones that propelled the traditional ships that sailed the Mediterranean, in memory and tribute to the more than 200 residents of Benidorm who lost their lives due to COVID-19 and the thousands of people who fought against it in the city.
Coinciding with the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of alarm, on March 14, 2020, hundreds of residents gathered there, just as the sun began to say goodbye to the west, to remember the fateful days in which " everything changed” and in which “we closed our activity, we closed our beaches and we began to brutally suffer something unexpected”, pointed out the mayor, Toni Pérez.
In a simple, brief, but intense ceremony, 'El cant dels ocells', was performed by Ximo García Sivera from Benidorm, from the Unió Musical, preceded the intervention of the mayor who recalled that already on December 6, coinciding with the extraordinary plenary session of the City Council on Constitution Day, a first tribute was made, but also, it has had an impact, the population was summoned to honor their relatives and all public servants involved in the fight in a subsequent public act. "A tribute was needed that was already committed," he reiterated.
Toni Pérez recalled that the WHO (World Health Organization) "still maintains the pandemic" and that during all these months we have "had moments to get up and recover" and that we have "in our hearts those people who left us ”.
The mayor emphasized "death in solitude" forced by the sanitary guidelines that prevented on many occasions "giving affection" or "showing the outstretched helping hand" to those who said goodbye to us and that now, with this new urban enclave, we have of a place of "memory and remembrance".
Toni Pérez explained that the area is known as the "Vela Blanca" ravine because there was "a large white stone, limestone, that served as an orientation for our sailors and fishermen." Although progress and urban development have made the rock disappear, the "place name helps us to pay homage by hoisting this sail" which symbolizes "freedom, height and life".
Likewise, three young almond trees have been planted in the area with flowers on their branches that "with the end of each winter, with the announcement of each spring" will keep the memory of those who left us alive, just like the white candle, especially of those we couldn't fire. Likewise, a commemorative plaque has been placed in the same place that reads "In memory of the victims of COVID-19 and the people of Benidorm for their exemplary behavior" along with the Elegy by Miguel Hernández 'To the winged souls of the roses I require you from the almond tree, we have to talk about many things…”
The mayor ended his intervention by inviting the people gathered to place white roses that had previously been given among those before the candle as a sign of mourning, memory, and respect.
