Social Services chief of staff resigns over unauthorised Blackworks festival permits
José Francisco Pérez, chief of staff at the regional Social Services department, resigned after processing paperwork for the Blackworks Open Air festival, planned for 11-12 July on a protected site in Puerto de Sagunto, without proper authorisation.
Pérez sent the Sagunto City Council the festival's paperwork claiming to act 'on behalf of the Generalitat' (the regional government), with the department's logo printed on the event poster. But the chosen site, the open ground of the Nau de Tallers next to Blast Furnace No. 2 (Alto Horno), is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural — Spain's highest heritage-protection status — which requires specific authorisation from its owner, the Generalitat, for any temporary use. The council had already flagged this in writing in March and May. The regional culture department rejected the request on 4 May, yet setup work continued until Local Police halted it this week for lacking a permit. Organiser La Productiva Eventos ultimately cancelled the festival, citing weather concerns. The Social Services department, led by Elena Albalat, denied promoting the event and said it is investigating. The line-up included acts such as BIIA, Daria Kolosova and Svetec. According to Europa Press and Levante-EMV.