Laura Rodrigo Martínez and Aroa Durá Quiles received on Saturday the sash that accredits them as Major and Child Queen, respectively, in an event attended by numerous local authorities and representatives of festival entities. The ceremony, held for the fourth consecutive year, marks the beginning of the city's patron saint festivities.
The event was presided over by the mayor, Pablo Ruz, and the Councilor for Festivities, Inma Mora, accompanied by representatives from the Gestora de Festejos Populares Federation, the Unió de Festers del Camp d’Elx, members of the municipal corporation, and numerous social, cultural, and festive entities. Representatives from festival entities from other towns such as Monóvar, Torrevieja, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Petrer, Dénia, Crevillent, and Murcia also attended.
The ceremony began with the anthem of Elche and an emotional farewell to the queens and maids of honor of 2025: Nuria Tejero Adsuar and Carla García Irles, along with Marta Martínez Ruíz, Claudia Cámara Araujo, Patricia Martínez Guilabert, and Julia Ortiz Arias. They highlighted the pride of representing the city over the past year.
“"It is a privilege to represent this city that does not understand festivities as a tradition, but as a way of life."
The Councilor for Festivities, Inma Mora, emphasized that the six outgoing representatives "have carried more than a sash, they have carried the name of Elche, the affection of the people of Elche, and have known how to represent the best image of the women of Elche." Mora also dedicated words of gratitude to the families, especially the mothers, for their support.
During the proclamation, the pasodoble 'Soroll de Festa', composed by Antonio Guzmán Palomares, was performed for the first time. Subsequently, the new representatives received their sashes. Inma Mora presented those of the Major Maids of Honor, Paula Esquiva López and Esther Pradera Martínez, and the Child Maids of Honor, Valentina Doria Martínez and Daniela Rueda Palazón. The mayor, Pablo Ruz, presented the sashes to Laura Rodrigo Martínez and Aroa Durá Quiles.
“"May the embrace of the festival reach every corner of our beloved Venezuela."
In his speech, Mayor Pablo Ruz recalled the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela, wishing that "the embrace of the festival reach every corner of our beloved Venezuela." Ruz highlighted that Elche demonstrates "that we fight battles, but we don't throw bullets, but flowers," and underscored the commitment of those who represent the city.
The event concluded with the performance of the anthems of the Valencian Community and Spain, followed by a fireworks display. The new queens and maids of honor later participated in a traditional 'sopar de cabasset' (potluck dinner) at l’Hort de Baix with authorities and representatives from the festive world.
