The history of the Torrevieja Carnival dates back to the late 1980s, specifically to a small group of friends who, under the name ‘Friends of the Carnival’, began organising small parades, as the carnival celebrations up until then had mainly consisted of a series of parties or gatherings where neighbours and friends would spend time together to the sound of music. With the emergence of this group, under the chairmanship of Mr José Antonio Montesinos, this great festival began to take shape. He was succeeded in the role by Ms Mari Carmen Montesinos, with the “Friends of Carnival Group”, and Mr Antonio Pérez Fenoll and Mr Francisco Atienza serving as the first ever Carnival heralds.

The Torrevieja parade has always had something special, something different; our streets are filled with colour and diversity. We see young children parading, schools surprising us with their imagination every year; individual entrants and small groups, and of course, the carnival troupes, large and small, who wear costumes that outdo the previous year’s every time; troupes that emerge with dazzling costumes and feathers or with impossible structures full of details that leave the public in awe year after year. Together, they make up the great Carnival Family.

Among the awards for which they are all nominated, one stands out in particular: it is dedicated to a woman who lived and breathed the carnival and was deeply involved in it; for this reason, every year the “Mari Conchi Baños” award pays tribute to this remarkable woman, who always had the audience in stitches whenever she took to the stage.

Over the course of more than 30 years of Carnival, many troupes and groups have paraded through the streets of Torrevieja; many of them, for various reasons, no longer take part. However, others – such as the troupes Blanca de Sal, Destellos and Grumos de Sal – have decided, after a few years of inactivity, to return to Torrevieja’s parades with a bang.

Torrevieja Carnival and the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association would like to take this opportunity to encourage these carnival troupes to dust off their costumes, resume their dancing and rekindle their enthusiasm for celebrating Carnival, by dedicating this small tribute to them, so that they know they have not been forgotten:

Out of Africa, Fantasy, Enchantment, Chichipotuaka, Odyssey, Friends of the Carnival Group, Brasil o’da sal, Rainbow, The Calvary, Seaweed, Chinchimini, Joy, Eternal Youth, Los Tacos Sal, Los Macabeos, Arakanda, Birds of Paradise, Spell, Daughters of the Sun, El Acequión, Academia Qk, Los Topolinos, Las Guasonas, Do’samba, Among Friends, The Immaculate, Las Marías, the soloists El Cano and Luis…

We would also like to give a special mention to our most international troupe at the Torrevieja Carnival, “La Sal de Torrevieja”, which every year takes the name of Torrevieja and its Carnival to the four corners of the globe, dazzling the thousands of spectators who flock to their performances with their costumes, choreography and, above all, their smiles; countries such as China, Italy and France; cities such as Rome and Corsica, and many others have already marvelled at them and, by extension, at the Torrevieja Carnival.

No Carnival would be complete without its Queens; they are the ultimate embodiment of what Carnival stands for. Beauty, charm and a great sense of rhythm are essential qualities for any candidate for the title of Queen of the Torrevieja Carnival, and this is perfectly complemented by the majesty of their costumes. Gowns brimming with glitter, feathers, crystals, rhinestones and a long list of materials, which are perfectly designed and then crafted, ensure that every year the crowds packing the Carnival Queens’ Presentation ceremony are utterly spellbound when they see these finished works of art on stage.

Since 1992, the Carnival has been presenting its Queens to the wider Carnival community. The Children’s Queens were introduced in 1997; and the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association intends that, as a new feature in 2020, the Torrevieja Carnival will also have a male representative: the King of the Carnival.

But Torrevieja Carnival is not just about parades and fancy dress; in 1991, people began singing what are locally known as ‘Habaneras Carnavaleras’ – a very localised version in which, to the rhythm of the habanera, groups sang with the utmost irony to an audience that gave it their all and saw themselves reflected in the scathing criticism contained in the lyrics of these songs.

They were later renamed “Murgas Carnavaleras”, with local carnival troupes such as Memorias de África, Odisea, El Peperrin, Brasil o’da Sal, Grupo Amigos del Carnaval, Blanca de Sal, Multicolor, Alga Marina, Los Salaos and Bufa la Gamba joining in, followed by the troupe Entre Amig@s, which added a more musical touch.

Today, backed by a rich history, the “Ciudad de Torrevieja” National Comparsas and Chirigotas Competition is well on its way to becoming a benchmark in eastern Spain as a gathering for comparsas and chirigotas. As the flagship of Torrevieja’s chirigota scene, the group “Los Sangochaos” currently takes this vital part of our Carnival across the whole of Spain; they have won several first prizes and wherever they perform, they always hold the name of our city and our Carnival in high esteem. It is worth noting that since 2016, the most important prize in this murgas competition has been dedicated to one of the women from Torrevieja who, throughout her life, has been most involved in and lived the carnival to the full: Loles Vilella. And so, with this first prize dedicated in her honour, we remember another of the figures who have shaped our Carnival.

This “brief” history of the Torrevieja Carnival fail to make special mention of Mr Julio Ruiz; president of the Carnival for over 20 years, under whose leadership the Carnival has continued, year after year, to grow and improve, culminating in 2012, when his dedication and perseverance secured recognition and the designation of our Carnival as an “Event of Provincial Tourist Interest”. But all these years of hard work and dedication have not been the work of one man alone; alongside him, there have always been wonderful people, lovers of the Carnival and all that it represents. Figures such as Conchi Úbeda and Conchi Gómez, known locally to everyone as “La Dulsa”, and María Dolores Inglada, have, through a great deal of time and dedication, managed to innovate, take risks and fight for the Torrevieja Carnival.

The history of Carnival goes back much further than what is recounted here, and it is the aim of the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association to revive events that were ‘traditionally’ held, such as the popularly known ‘Teatrico del Carnaval’ – a localised performance in which members of the carnival troupes used humour to offer a scathing critique of everyday life in the city. Marked by the great and legendary Mari Conchi Baños Gracia and Bienve Ruiz Guillamó, it served as a platform for the audience to see themselves reflected through laughter and good times. It disappeared for a few years until a group of young people, mostly members of the Entre Amig@s murga, revived it for a few editions.

In 2007, the Board of the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association, responding to the persistent calls of the Escudos de Oro – known throughout the carnival community as ‘Ignacio and Tere’ – took a chance on organising the first Drag Queen Gala, which has since become one of the most eagerly awaited events for the carnival community and the city’s residents. Of all the artists who have performed at this Gala over the years, the great queens such as Drag Sethlas stand out; winner that same year in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

We conclude this brief overview of the long and evocative history of the Torrevieja Carnival by discussing the indispensable and prominent Carnival Proclamers – whether local or from further afield – who have the honour and responsibility of kicking off the Carnival celebrations. Year after year, individuals and groups have put on spectacular performances to share with the whole Carnival Family their love for this festival, their eagerness to start dancing, to dress up, to throw themselves into the events on the streets, and to experience this magical festival with passion.

Because Torrevieja’s Carnival is special, unique and one of a kind. And it has only been and will continue to be possible, year after year, thanks to the commitment, dedication and love of all those people who, over the decades, have given their time and effort to make it happen. All that remains is for us to thank them all!!

 

Long live the Torrevieja Carnival!!