At 10:30 p.m., the event began with the proclamation of the Queen and Ladies of the festivities. After this proclamation, Raúl Domínguez Donate, president of the Miguelturra Carnival Association, gave the opening speech, which serves as the starting gun for the neighborhood festivities.

A speech that Raúl wanted to title ‘Here I am because I came, that is, I speak, you listen, and then when we’re finished, throw tomatoes if you think it’s appropriate’.

Raúl praised the great work done by the people of this neighborhood, who, together with their Association, year after year—and there are now many—make their festivals worthy of admiration, and not only the neighborhood, but all of Miguelturra, is eagerly awaiting their celebration in mid-July.

The opening speech included phrases and nods to Carnival, such as the parade of the Burial of the Sardine through the neighborhood’s streets in its early years, or “I bet you don’t know me?”, the traditional cry with which our street mask is presented to its “victims.” He also publicly thanked the Residents’ Association, and especially the previous president, Santiago, and the current president, Antonio, for lending the neighborhood’s Civic Hall to the Peña Los Rocheros to hold their meetings.

There was no shortage of verses either, all he needed was to break into song, but at least he recited them and got the audience laughing.

Four hundred of us have come to this neighborhood in a group,
we’d all like to sit down
but… we don’t have enough chairs

From so many dances, no stranger will be frightened,
that we will drag our bodies
until our pockets can take it

Finally, Raúl wished everyone a happy and memorable holiday season, closing the opening speech with a “Long live the Fiestas del Barrio de Oriente, Long live Our Lady of Health, and Long live its people!”