The commission from Cefeo street experienced intense emotion when the mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, announced the winner. This victory comes two years after Florida Portazgo's last triumph in 2024, marking their sixth first prize in the top category and positioning them as the fifth most decorated hoguera in history.
The winning hoguera, "Gènes!", had a budget of 123,000 euros. The artistic proposal features a large female bust representing Mother Nature, surrounded by hybrid beings and references to the Alicantinian landscape, crowned by a bionic octopus symbolizing the connection between the natural and digital worlds.
The 2026 edition was notable for changes in the award procedure. For the first time, positions were decided not by points, but by a direct secret ballot among the thirteen jury members, who had to surrender their mobile phones to ensure verdict confidentiality. The Bellea del Foc, María Pastor, played a prominent role, announcing awards down to fourth place, before Mayor Luis Barcala revealed the remaining positions.
The podium is completed by Baver-Els Antigons in second place with the hoguera "Corónate, Reina!", unable to retain their 2025 title, and Diputació-Renfe in third place with "Llum, l'origen de les Fogueres", repeating their previous year's position. Other commissions such as La Ceràmica and Sagrada Familia, which received the critics' award, were also recognized.
The celebration extended throughout the afternoon on Cefeo street, as for Florida Portazgo, the verdict represented much more than a first prize: it was a new chapter in a trajectory that continues to grow within the history of Alicante's Hogueras.
