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Thirty participants dazzled the crowds with their vibrant carnival creations at the festival’s main event.
Torrevieja’s streets exploded with colour and festivity yesterday as the much-anticipated grand parade contest took centre stage. A total of 23 comparsas (carnival groups) and seven individual participants filled the city with joy, turning every corner into a spectacle of creativity.
At the forefront of the parade was La Sal de Torrevieja, an internationally renowned comparsa led by its much respected president, Conchita Valdés. As tradition dictates, Valdés’ troupe opened the show but was not considered in the competition, captivating onlookers with a breathtaking fantasy of colourful feathers.
A Parade of Spectacular Costumes
The competition got underway with the children’s category, where ‘Si lo sé no vengo’ impressed with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired ensemble. ‘Ciudad del Mar’ followed, bringing a dazzling pink panther theme under the title ‘Pinktásticas.’ ‘Escárcha-t’ transported spectators to lively summer nights with their beach-inspired ‘Asúcar’ display, while ‘Payas’ wrapped up the category by turning the streets into a scene straight out of Star Wars.
C-3PO, Chewbacca, and Yoda paraded before a stunned audience.
The children’s queen, Lucía Martínez, marched alongside her comparsa, ‘Osadía.’ Despite past controversy over costume choices, the group championed artistic freedom with a Michelangelo-inspired theme, featuring a striking representation of David, Botticelli’s Venus, and a cascade of 600 white ostrich feathers adorned with 35,000 crystal stones.
Groups and Individual Showstoppers
In the group category, ‘Lanikai’ despite being the only participant, enchanted the crowd with their Kyoto-inspired theme, ‘Susurros de Kioto.’ Meanwhile, the individual category featured many different interpretations of culture and fantasy.
‘Anonimask’ fused ethnic influences into a global spectacle, while the ‘Gonfer’ family added a futuristic twist with their robotic ‘Circuito cerrado’ concept. A standout moment came when ‘Salysol’ rose from the ashes in a stunning phoenix costume.
From Love Arrows to Living Paintings
The costume category was a whirlwind of creativity. ‘Multicolour’ playfully declared ‘El amor es ciego’ (Love is Blind), spreading romance throughout the parade. ‘Vive la vida’ embraced a futuristic ‘steampunk’ aesthetic, while ‘Bufa la gamba’ brought Pinocchio to life in a magical fairytale moment. ‘Porque sí’ transformed the parade into an art gallery with living paintings bursting with colour and energy.
The extravagance continued with ‘Desafío,’ where dazzling costumes represented the seven deadly sins in a shimmering display of rhinestones. ‘No ni naa’ channeled the spirit of the Burning Man festival, mixing avant-garde and futuristic elements.
Shimmering Fantasies and Iconic Homages
The fantasy category featured ‘Lumos de sal’ with their mesmerizing silver ensemble, ‘Adamantis,’ while ‘Blanca de sal’ enchanted the crowd with their celestial-inspired ‘Celestia.’ A creative tribute to Velázquez’s Las Meninas was presented by Antonio, Toñi, and Abril, turning the iconic painting into a live masterpiece.
DJs Minerva and Pedro ignited the night with electrifying beats, and the well-known Manolico Zafra closed the individual performances with a playful ‘flamenco crow,’ a nod to the famous Rockefeller puppet.
A Grand Finale to Remember
The final section of the parade was just as dazzling. ‘Jolgorio’ showcased their carnival king, Pablo Hernández, in a striking Aztec-inspired costume, ‘Balam.’ ‘Mar de Plata’ shimmered in orange feathers and glitter, while ‘Daimana’ paid homage to the Hindu goddess Kali in vibrant blue, red, and gold.
‘Soul Dance’ brought Aladdin to life with mesmerizing Arabic-style movements, and ‘QK’ rocked the streets with feathered wings and vinyl accessories in a tribute to the legendary guitarist Slash.
Adding humour to the spectacle, a troupe of Spidermen from ‘Karnaval Kings’ paraded in unexpected disguises—bullfighter, doctor, military officer, and more. ‘Aquí hay tomate’ delivered a lively Cuban tribute, complete with a heartfelt nod to the beloved Celia Cruz.
Meanwhile, ‘Destellos’ illuminated the night with a celestial-themed performance, and ‘Los Yes Kamondri’ oozed old-school glamour with a dazzling burlesque display.
Closing the parade was ‘Payas,’ escorting the Carnival Queen, Mireya Ferrández, in a grand Star Wars-themed finale. Lightsabres lit up the streets as the saga’s legendary characters left the crowd in awe, concluding a night of unbridled magic and celebration in Torrevieja.
Images courtesy Facebook Groups: TodoTorrevieja and Torrevieja
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