"If we stick together, they can't stop us!" Illegal techno festival causes a stir

By Emilio Rappold

Madrid -Spain is currently hosting the Macro Rave Party, a large, unannounced techno festival. But not everyone is enjoying the sounds of the bass.

The festival takes place on an airport site 200 kilometers south of Madrid.
The festival takes place on an airport site 200 kilometers south of Madrid.  © Patricia Galiana/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Since New Year's Eve, thousands have been celebrating an unregistered rave party in Spain - and that's not the only reason for the trouble.

The newspaper "El Mundo" and other media reported that drug dealing and consumption were flourishing at the site not far from Ciudad Real airport, just under 200 kilometers south of Madrid.

The airport operators have filed a complaint. Scientists also complainedthat the noise caused by the techno festival harmed the wildlife in the nearby "Campo de Calatrava" bird sanctuary.

Macro rave party to continue until January 6

It's not just Spaniards who are drawn to the pits: visitors to the festival also come from abroad.
It's not just Spaniards who are drawn to the pits: visitors to the festival also come from abroad.  © Patricia Galiana/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

"If there are a lot of us and we stick together, they can't stop us," 23-year-old Catalan Laia was quoted as saying in "El Mundo".

According to reports, the rave was attended not only by Spaniards but also by revelers from abroad, who had traveled from Germany, Portugal, England, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

According to the authorities, there were around 5,000 people. The media estimate the number of participants to be significantly higher. With temperatures hovering around freezing point, the celebrations are set to continue until January 6.

Even the low temperatures can't stop the party-goers from dancing.
Even the low temperatures can't stop the party-goers from dancing.  © Patricia Galiana/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Unknown organizers offer numerous stages and attractions

In addition to the numerous stages, visitors to the techno rave can also watch rope acrobats.
In addition to the numerous stages, visitors to the techno rave can also watch rope acrobats.  © Patricia Galiana/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

El Mundo reported that there were seven stages, countless food stalls, facilities for rope acrobatics and an inflatable bouncy castle on the site.

The organizers are unknown to the authorities. According to the media and authorities, the event in an industrial area was advertised via social networks. However, the exact location was only announced shortly before the start "to avoid leaks", wrote "El Mundo".

Similar end-of-year parties have already taken place in Spain in Granada in 2023 and Murcia in 2024.