Residents in Sevilla have erupted in anger after part of the iconic San Telmo Bridge was blocked off to stop people watching a Rosalia Netflix concert.
On Friday morning, pedestrians crossing the Puente de San Telmo were met with fencing, tarpaulins and blocked-off viewpoints preventing visibility towards Triana and the river stage where Rosalia is set to perform this weekend.
The performance forms part of the global launch event for the second season of Berlín, the hugely successful spin-off of La Casa de Papel starring Pedro Alonso.
Netflix and Sevilla City Council confirmed the concert ‘will only be visible from designated areas and for people with tickets’.
The restrictions immediately sparked fury among many locals, who accused authorities of effectively ‘privatising’ large parts of the city for corporate events – despite the sold-out tickets having been free.
The controversy intensified after one lane of traffic on the bridge was also closed to allow pedestrians to move through the remaining space while another walkway remains shut due to ongoing awning installation works nearby.
Social media quickly filled with criticism.
‘One more step towards the total privatisation of Sevilla,’ wrote one resident online alongside photos of the blocked bridge.
‘Sevilla does not deserve this. End of discussion,’ posted another.
The backlash has reignited a long-running debate in the Andalucian capital over whether the economic and promotional benefits of huge global events justify the disruption they cause for residents.
Over recent years, Sevilla has aggressively positioned itself as an international events city, hosting everything from Latin Grammy Awards 2023 and MTV Europe Music Awards to major football finals, concerts and luxury fashion shows.
Mayor Jose Luis Sanz defended the Netflix event despite acknowledging the disruption.
‘I apologise for the inconvenience and traffic problems,’ he said on Friday.
But the mayor insisted the international exposure for Sevilla would be ‘absolutely priceless’.
‘We could never afford a global advertising campaign like this,’ he said, noting that the series would be available in more than 190 countries and translated into 30 languages.
According to Sanz, the first season of Berlín entered Netflix’s top 10 in 91 countries and accumulated more than 348 million viewing hours worldwide.
The city argues such events bring enormous economic returns alongside the publicity.
Authorities have previously claimed that the 2023 Latin Grammys generated over €190 million for Andalucia.
The Dior fashion show in Plaza de España is said to have generated more than €100 million in promotional value, while the Copa del Rey finals at La Cartuja have generated €257 million over six editions.
But many residents argue the city is paying an increasing social price.
Locals frequently complain about constant traffic chaos, blocked public spaces, noise pollution, litter problems, overcrowding and parking loss.
Neighbourhoods including Triana, Alameda, La Cartuja and the riverside areas have all become flashpoints for resident frustration in recent years.
The controversy also follows recent backlash over the Elrow XXL electronic music festival in La Cartuja, where locals complained of vibrations shaking apartment windows for more than 15 hours.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
