They will be the representatives of the winter festival committees
The Mequinenza Town Hall's plenary hall hosted the ceremony for the presentation of the ceremonial staff to the San Blas and Santa Águeda festival committees, in honor of the town's festivities, which take place from February 2nd to 4th. Marga Nevado, representing the San Blas committee, and Helena Algueró, representing the Santa Águeda committee, were chosen this year to receive the staff from Antonio Sanjuán, the mayor of Mequinenza. Additionally, a certificate was awarded to the San Blas and Santa Águeda committees for their participation in the 8th Thematic Congress "Around the Table: Tables that Tell Us Stories," organized by the "Léon Laborde Boy" Regional Museum of Argentina and the Chocolate Museum of Mexico.
Luis Esteve, the councilor for festivals, welcomed the festival committees and reviewed the program of events, focusing on the costume contests, which offer nearly €4.000 in cash prizes. He noted that "we've heard they'll be very competitive," as well as the religious celebrations and the costume balls, which will feature a performance by Leticia Sabater. He also mentioned the future Costume Museum, which "already has a finalized design" but will have to wait a while "since at the moment all our resources are dedicated to the construction and opening of the 'Magda Godia' Senior Citizens' Residence and Day Center; it's our priority." He expressed his hope "that we can hold this event there next year."
For his part, Sanjuán emphasized the significance of the symbolic handover of the Staff of Office to the Commissions, what it represents, and the "responsibility that comes with receiving it." He was referring to all the people who make the festivities possible "from the moment the costume design is conceived until the awards are collected," a success for everyone, "even those who aren't in the photos," which has resulted in a festival with more than three centuries of history that deserves recognition. A "well-tuned orchestra," although on occasion, as happened when the process began for the declaration of Festival of Tourist Interest, "someone wanted to play in a different key or even out of rhythm," situations that should not jeopardize the celebration, which is paramount and for which "it is essential to strive for excellence in the details that make up such a grand festival."
It was the first of the activities in the program of the San Blas and Santa Águeda Festivals, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest of Aragon, one of the most traditional along with another of the hallmarks: the children's and adults' costume contests.
The representatives of the committees who received the ceremonial staff of office expressed their gratitude for the selection and encouraged residents and visitors to actively participate in the festivities. Marga Nevado, representing the San Blas Committee, spoke of the responsibility and the opportunity to "continue passing on the tradition" and encouraged everyone to keep working on the costumes they will wear in the parades next weekend. Helena Algueró, representing the Santa Águeda Committee, referred to the decision to opt for a different solution than the one proposed by the Town Hall last year due to the impossibility of making the traditional "coques" (flatbreads) locally, a solution that was ultimately chosen with everyone's agreement. She also encouraged young people to get involved and "take up the mantle to continue maintaining the traditions."
