Original article: “La reactivación está en deuda”: alcalde de Coquimbo revive La Pampilla para apoyar a pescadores, comercio y gastronomía

Coquimbo Mayor Revives La Pampilla Festival to Support Fishermen, Local Businesses, and Culinary Arts Amid Economic Recovery

Coquimbo’s Mayor, Alí Manouchehri, confirmed that the traditional fiesta of La Pampilla will take place on September 18 to support fishermen, local commerce, and cuisine, asserting that the recent weather system has left the economic recovery «in debt».

«After meeting with our fishermen, entrepreneurs, guilds, and the Chambers of Commerce, it became clear: we cannot abandon reconstruction, but we also must not forget about reactivation. Therefore, we have made a decision: we will hold our Pampilla,» announced the mayor in a message on his social media.

Manouchehri emphasized that the municipality has maintained a dual priority since the onset of the climate disaster: addressing the emergency and starting the reconstruction of Coquimbo. He recalled that initially, $1.5 billion was allocated for aid, machinery, food supplies, and road recovery to quickly reach the neighbors who needed it most. He noted that with the approval of councilors in commission, an additional $3 billion was injected to continue reconstruction efforts.

The mayor stated that although he had to make the difficult choice to suspend La Pampilla to prioritize the emergency, Coquimbo’s recovery mission cannot solely focus on rebuilding streets and roads, as economic reactivation is also needed.

«We have met and listened to our fishermen, merchants, entrepreneurs, gastronomy guilds, and hoteliers, alongside the Production Development Corporation (Corfo) and the Technical Cooperation Service (Sercotec). They themselves requested an opportunity to work, welcome visitors, and get back on their feet. Thus, we have decided that on September 18, Coquimbo will hold Pampilla,» the mayor informed in a video posted on his Instagram account.

Manouchehri made it clear that this celebration during national holidays will be «a different Pampilla, one of solidarity, austerity, and focused on reactivation, taking care of municipal resources, gathering support from the private sector, and launching a major campaign to assist the families in greatest need.

«A few weeks ago, we said we first needed to lift Coquimbo; today we understand that Pampilla can also help us rise. Therefore, we invite all of Chile. Come to our coves, our restaurants, support our entrepreneurs, and celebrate our national holidays while helping us stand Coquimbo back up. Coquimbo needs reconstruction, needs reactivation, and also needs to reconnect,» he asserted.

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A post shared by Ali Manouchehri (@manouchehri19)

In an interview with Diario El Día, the mayor provided further details about this «Pampilla of the people».

The municipality’s shift in stance responds to a dynamic understanding of the crisis and its timelines. Initially, the suspension was a necessary measure to concentrate all efforts on the immediate emergency. However, as repairs in roads and connectivity progressed, the on-ground reality revealed a new urgency: the lack of economic activity.

«We have already repaired kilometers and kilometers of roads, restored connectivity to many areas, but there is something still in debt related to economic reactivation. We spoke with the fishermen, who have been hit hard, as their landing sites were severely affected. The same goes for the gastronomy sector and commerce. Beyond the support from many community members and regional locals not to hold the festival, we have now placed reactivation as one of the key pillars, recognizing that there is a name nationally recognized, La Pampilla, the largest festival in Chile, which can aid this process not only with a solidarity campaign for reconstruction but also a reactivation campaign,» declared the mayor.

Manouchehri emphasized that meticulous financial planning for the event has occurred and that the original budget for La Pampilla was $1.8 billion. However, these funds were redirected to emergency spending, which already exceeded $3 billion. For the new version, an investment of approximately $300 million is planned, supplemented by «some resources from logistics, allowing recovery through income generated from La Pampilla itself, including entry fees, parking, and revenues from vendors coming from other parts of Chile.»

«We have calculated everything meticulously to ensure this Pampilla does not entail a loss,» he clarified to the cited media.

«What the municipality is doing is providing the necessary logistical infrastructure and technical support to stage a show. However, we are appealing to the private sector for collaboration to bring artists, whether for free or funded by the companies themselves, to create such a beautiful and grand event as we have done in the past,» he emphasized.

The mayor indicated that the Pampilla, which would span two to three days, aims to become a meeting point where solidarity and reactivation go hand in hand, showcasing a new face of the community that, despite the challenges, seeks to regain its essence and dynamism.

«See you at the Pampilla of the People on September 18!»

Alí Manouchehri expressed optimism about Coquimbo’s future, highlighting the progress achieved during his administration. He recalled that despite inheriting a municipality burdened with debt and transparency issues, it is now a national example in public policy, sports, and financial management. The goal now is to recover lost ground due to the storm and get back on the path of growth. «A mayor must know how to gauge the temperature and analyze a catastrophe over a timeline,» he stated, defending his decision to revive La Pampilla as an act of leadership that listens to the community and adapts to circumstances. The final invitation is for all of Chile to join this celebration, not only seeking to revel but also to help lift Coquimbo back up.

«Get ready, because on September 18, solidarity and reactivation will dress as huaso and huasa to dance at the largest festival in Chile. We will see you at the Pampilla of the People on September 18,» he asserted.

Featured Image: El Día.