Protecting public spaces: the ‘camino’ from El Rocío to Kenya

One million people in a single square kilometre over three days. Around 130 brotherhoods, with more than 25,000 horses, mules, oxen and carts.

The El Rocío pilgrimage is not just one of the year’s most popular cultural and religious events: it is a major challenge in terms of both organisation and security.

The Civil Guard is one of the main bodies responsible for protecting public spaces and has just shared its experience with Kenya, a country on the front line of Al Shabab terrorism on its border with Somalia. Next year, Kenya will host the Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Colonel Antonio Doblas is leading this project, which, through a coordination team of four Civil Guard experts mobilised by the FIAP, is organising study visits from Senegal, Kenya and Ghana to the security deployments at the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix in Jerez, El Rocío and the Benicàssim International Festival. This is part of the European Union’s Public Spaces+ project.

It has been three days of direct exchange between counterparts to share experiences and knowledge… and to forge alliances that will protect us.

 Alicia García, Head of Communications at FIAP

Photo gallery available here 📸

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