Humor, local customs and traditions in the opening speech of the Miguelturra Carnival
Álvaro Casares, herald of the Miguelturra Carnival 2026
It’s Carnival time in Miguelturra. Álvaro Casares gave the opening speech that kicked off the most popular, traditional, and beloved festival in our town: Carnival, a festival declared of National Tourist Interest.
Once again, the Carnival Palace was completely full to hear the opening speech that in 2026 was given by the comedian Álvaro Casares.
The event was attended by political authorities: Luis Ramón Mohíno (Mayor of Miguelturra), Carmen María Mohíno (Councilor for Culture and Festivities), David Broceño (Deputy Government Delegate), and other members of the Municipal Corporation. As expected, the event was presided over by the carnival authorities. Serafín Delgado (King of the Carnival), Diego Rodríguez (President of the Association of Clubs), Berna Martínez and Esther Martínez (Main Masks 2025); as well as Miguel Ángel Ruiz and Juan Carlos Pérez, who will be named Main Masks in 2026.
The procession began its traditional route to the Carnival Palace from Spanish Square a few minutes after the rocket that kicked off this eagerly awaited celebration. Before the event, they visited the Miguelturra Carnival Museum “MOMO,” one of the few museums dedicated entirely to this festival.
A COMPLETELY FULL CARNIVAL PALACE FOR ÁLVARO CASARES
The event featured a truly outstanding presenter: Tere Rodado, a local journalist who knows the essence of Miguelturra’s carnival perfectly. After welcoming everyone, she handed the spotlight to Álvaro Casares, whom the Carnival Palace listened to with rapt attention.
Dressed in traditional Manchegan migas, Álvaro Casares gave a proclamation that pleased his followers, mixing humor with stories of his life and summers in his grandparents’ town: Villamayor de Calatrava.
Álvaro Casares spoke about the King of Carnival, our street mask tradition, and the resilience of the Miguelturra Carnival in surviving the years when it was most persecuted. During his speech, he confirmed that he had visited the Miguelturra Carnival on several occasions, returning to walk its streets again this Friday night.
