Posters and graffiti have appeared in Barcelona encouraging foreign visitors to throw themselves off balconies in the latest campaign by radical protesters to drive tourists away from Spain.
“Tourists go home, and please, practise balconing!” one message said, making light of the craze where people jump off hotel or apartment balconies, often injuring or killing themselves.
A poster on a lamppost said: “Dear Tourist. Did you know balconing? Prevents gentrification, improves neighbours’ quality of life, reduces the risk of heart disease, is LOTS of fun.”
The posters and graffiti, which are written in English, appear designed to make British holidaymakers feel particularly unwelcome.
Dozens of people are said to have been killed or injured since the balconing craze began. A study by one hospital between 2010 and 2015 found that two thirds of those doing it were Britons who were often drunk or had taken drugs.
Many of the posters appeared in Vallcarca, near Park Güell, a popular tourist destination featuring work by the architect Antoni Gaudí.
No one has claimed responsibility for the campaign, but most local residents believe that it is protesters who campaign against the high number of tourists, claiming that the hordes are making life unbearable for those who live there and driving up property prices.
The posters include the hashtag #BalconingIsFun, with Twitter users retweeting them and adding jokes or memes.
A spokeswoman for Barcelona city council said: “We reject these incidents and above all the message. They will be removed by the municipal cleaning services.”
Source: The Times
