firmm at the International Sea Festival in La Herradura

Text: Sabrina Blümlinger; photos: firmm

On the 26th of October, very early in the morning, when all Tarifa was still in a deep sleep, our firmm-team, biologist Jörn, Brigitte and the two volunteers Juliana und I got ready for a three hour drive to the International Sea Festival of La Herradura. As we arrived at the little town we were already enjoying the comfortable atmosphere of that place and also admiring the view of the bay at the beach which looks like a horseshoe, which is the Spanish name `herradura` for that reason.

  

Bit by bit the village was waking up and the firmm-team made its way to the Centro Cívicio where the event was located. We have been wondering why there were not many guests yet, although the opening speech of the organizer Anne Zipse already began and also Jörn's speech, "The encounter of the great seas-and the whales and dolphins" for all the kids at the event would begin at any moment. Anne emphasized the collaboration of all the helpers, presented the activities and talked about the goals of the event that already produced a dense network of information exchange and initiatives.

   

As soon as the organiser rounded up all the kids who could be found at the feast, Jörn could start to tell the interested children about the Strait of Gibraltar and the marine mammals which can be found there. Afterwards our biologist Jörn presented the talk, "The great meeting of the oceans-and the cetaceans" for the older generation in the big hall. The language of both talks was Spanish because the guests attending were all spanish speakers. That made it easier for Jörn to use his talent to cast a spell of attention for all listening ears with the many anecdotes gathered over 11 years. In the mean time, Brigitte and the two volunteers kept an eye on the firmm-table which was decorated with a lot of information material and many nice keepsakes to purchase. Of course we also listened to other speeches and looked at other displays as well. For example one display offered re-useable, closable mini-ashtrays which fit in every trouser pocket or handbag. They were free and we considered that to be a very good idea for smokers to keep the beaches, streets and meadows free of cigarette butts. It is good to remember that every butt contaminates 80 lt. of water.

  

As time quickly went by it was time for us to pack our things together. After we nourished ourselves with a nice vegetarian pizza we went back to Tarifa. Despite our expectations as to the number of the guests which were not met, it was still very nice to experience and observe how a spark of interest for environmental awareness, for the responsibility of the oceans, the animals and nature was inflamed in this little village in Spain. This glimmer will grow in a lot of people and prevail upon them to change and become more responsible. We wish the International Sea Festival La Herradura that it will grow and that a lot of people will develop enthusiasm for the idea of taking a stand for the oceans and the animals which inhabit them. Many thanks for the invitation. It was a pleasure for us to take part.