Félix Alfonso Alonso, a firefighter with over 41 years of service, will bring down the painting of the Virgin of La Paloma on August 15. This act symbolizes his farewell and a family legacy.
On August 15, Félix Alfonso Alonso, a veteran firefighter from the Madrid City Council, will carry out an emotional task: bringing down the painting of the Virgin of La Paloma. This action not only represents a tradition in the Madrid festivities but also fulfills a promise made to his daughter Ana over fifteen years ago. Since she was little, Ana asked her father when he would perform this symbolic act. Now, on the verge of retirement after 41 years and four months in the service, Félix will finally be able to keep that promise.
The maneuver to bring down the canvas is not as simple as it seems. It requires precision and coordination between Félix and his colleagues on the ground. "It's a simple task, but it also has its complications because we don't have much space," Félix explained as he prepared for the operation inside the temple located in La Latina. To secure the painting during its descent, he will use a rope and a pulley.
Félix joined the Fire Brigade in 1985, when he was young and inexperienced. Since then, he has been linked to the Brotherhood of the Virgin of La Paloma, which has made this image hold special significance for him and his family. However, it was a stroke suffered by his mother in 2019 that led him to temporarily distance himself from his commitment to the brotherhood.
The idea of the descent regained momentum as his retirement approached. His daughter Ana reminded him of the promise: "You have an outstanding account with me." With this in mind, Félix formally requested to carry out the descent from the president of the Brotherhood, and although he couldn't do it last year due to lack of time, this August will be different.
This event will mark not only a closure for Félix as a firefighter but also a new beginning for Ana, who has followed in her father's professional footsteps by becoming a health technician for Samur after passing the relevant exams. Although she does not yet have a permanent position, she has already begun working during significant events such as the Pope's visit.
"This act will be like a generational handover," Félix commented on how he will leave behind his years as a firefighter while Ana enters the emerging healthcare world. Throughout his four decades as a firefighter, he has faced critical situations; from devastating fires to terrorist attacks that have deeply marked his career.
The most vivid memory remains the attacks of 11-M, where many colleagues suffered irreparable trauma. Despite the emotional weight he carries on his shoulders, Félix remains optimistic about this final mission: "I am very excited; I hope to be as calm as possible."
With everything prepared for this significant day, local residents and members are eagerly awaiting to see how this beloved tradition will unfold for all Madrileños. The event promises to be both a tribute to the tireless work done by firefighters and a family celebration full of emotions.
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