Two data that began to roll on social networks put the magnifying glass on the Christmas Lighting of this 2022. The first of them is that the chosen theme will be that of the acclaimed animated film Charm. The second, that this year the traditional lights will cost $5.6 billion more than last year, apparently, for the amount that must be paid to Disney for the use of the brand.
Four months before December arrives, the issue is already generating controversy, even because the versions of Disney and EPM contradict each other as to whether or not a negotiation was closed around the use of the image of Charm.
It all started when Sinpro, the majority union of EPM workers, questioned on its Twitter account that the cost of the emblematic lighting fixtures would be much higher this year due to the payment, for property rights, that the company would have to make before the chosen theme.
Although it has been said that the amount would be at least one million dollars (regarding $4.3 billion), neither of the two companies confirmed the figure. The truth is Disney did tell EL COLOMBIANO that a negotiation has already been closed, although it did not provide any additional details.
For its part, EPM told this newspaper that in the process of reviewing possible topics and concepts that they have been developing, they have had conversations or approaches with Disney, without a final agreement having been finalized.
For her part, Olga Arango, president of Sinpro, said that several weeks ago sources within the company began to rumor that the Medellín Mayor’s Office had requested that it be Charm the theme for lighting. On May 12, 2022, the Union filed a right to petition seeking answers, which was answered two weeks later.
In the response provided by the company it is indicated that the execution of the lighting for this year it would cost $5.6 billion more than the 2021 value.
Consulted by this means, EPM stated that the additional cost is related “to the increase in the minimum wage for this period, the increase in the cost of supplies, such as the iron used in the development of the project, and a greater coverage of Christmas lighting. ”.
In the response to Sinpro, there is also an upward trend in the costs of Christmas Lighting for each year (see graph). Taking into account only the period of the current administration, the amounts invested have varied with an upward trend since 2020, although, the latest increase is the highest so far since 2017.
The two concepts in which the 2022 increase is represented are the budget for contracts and the budget for materials. In 2020, the amount corresponding to contracts was $7,794 million and that of materials was $2,422 million; in 2021 the first rose to $8,824 million and the second to $2,892 million; in 2022, $12,169 million were earmarked for contracts and $5,195 million for materials.
Arango expressed that although the situation has attracted attention among EPM employees, they have no qualms regarding the selected theme, since it was well received, it is beautiful and, furthermore, it is inspired by Colombia. However, from the Union they see the increase of $5,600 million as a high number, especially if the cause is the cost of the license for trademark rights.
“There are many other reasons that can be used as a theme and EPM has always been characterized by having very nice Christmas lights. It is something very sumptuous, it is not necessary. They tell us that they need money for investments, that we should sell the UNE shares, they leave us with a number of things and, on the other hand, they waste the money”, stated the president of Sinpro.
For now, the utility company confirmed that the definition of this year’s Christmas Lighting is in the approval stage of the overall concept
