At the Tourist Information Center, the awards ceremony for the outstanding figures of the 2023 edition of the Pequeños Duendes Carnival was held. The event was attended by carnival and local culture representatives, as well as municipal authorities.
The day served to recognize the work carried out over these years for the growth of the Pequeños Duendes Carnival, which has become a space with a strong social sense today.
This was highlighted by the General Secretary of the Mayor's Office, Matías Soto, who defined Pequeños Duendes as "one of the most important social and cultural activities that our city has, thanks to the drive and management of mayor Enrique Cresto," he valued.
"The children are very happy, closing the 2023 activity and already prepared at the starting line for this new season that is approaching," added the municipal official, who then congratulated "all the neighborhood workshops, the families, those who carry out the training, the textile workshop, the comparsas and their representatives who work throughout the year so that the children experience moments of happiness. That makes us all very happy and motivates us to continue as indicated by the Mayor," he emphasized.
For her part, the Municipality's Event Coordinator, Sonia Albornoz, assured that it is "a very emotional moment. It is always a reason for joy and pride that the children receive recognition for so much work, as well as for the effort of representatives, parents, and families. Today, that permanent work was awarded, which brings us joy to see so many happy boys and girls," she highlighted.
For Sonia, it was also a very special event as she is celebrating 10 years in the organization of the Pequeños Duendes Carnival, for which she thanked "the trust and support of mayor Enrique Cresto and his wife, Leticia Ponzinibbio, because this began hand in hand with the Conased Foundation. We celebrate by working for 2024, with the comparsas already planning their themes. An incredible edition is coming," Albornoz anticipated.
At the awards ceremony, she took the opportunity to "thank every person who has passed through Pequeños Duendes; and thank the work of so many people in each neighborhood to deepen this social work that was sown at the time by Laura Martínez Pass de Cresto."
AWARD RECIPIENTS
The distinctions were presented to the winners recognized by the jury in the different categories:
Comparsa representative: (former ambassador): Arlequincito: Luz Gómez Schurlein. Front commission: Arlequincito: Blanco Mia, Chaparro Paula, Fernández Rocio, Flores Fernanda, Flores Zoe, Sanabria Zoe. Standard bearer and cord bearers: Arlequincito: Wilson Ivo, Beber Santini, Monserrat Pereira Naiara. Baton twirler: Arlequincito: Isabella Segovia. Flag bearer and master of ceremonies: Arlequincito: Zapata Sofia y Ragone Romeo. Female dancer: Arlequincito: Soto Ríos Zamira. Music and lyrics: Capullito y Los del Río. Drum section: 440 Arlequincito. Drum section godmother: Minisur: Patrone Irina. Children's Carnival Ambassador: Su Comparsita: Felipe Ruíz Díaz. Children's Carnival Ambassadors: Los Del Río: López Flavia. Su Comparsita: Solange Pinto. Highlight: Arlequincito: Leila Rebot Romero. Male dancer: Arlequincito: Iñaki Oyarbide.
Likewise, special mentions were given to members of all the comparsas, highlighting the work carried out throughout the year for the success and growth of the event.
One of the honorees was Alejandro Martinez, who assured that the recognition "caught me by surprise, I didn't expect it" and highlighted that it is a caress to the soul for so many years of work dedicated to the carnival and that allow us to think that we have done something for the carnival and the culture of the city. I love the carnival, it is my life and I will be here as long as I can," he stressed.
In the 2023 edition, around 1,500 boys and girls participated, belonging to the comparsas Gigante Dormido (Benito Legeren), Su Comparsita (Carretera La Cruz), Minisur (Almirante Brown), Tekoha (José Hernández), Los Carnavaleros (Isthilart Sur), Los Peques de Camba Paso (Islas Malvinas), Luna brillante (Colonia Roca), Capullito (Villa Jardín), Los del río (La Bianca), Aramí (General La Madrid), Arlequincito (Lezca), Sol Brillante (Construcción) and the humorous comparsa Los cabezones y sus amigos.
The parades were held during the weekends of February in Próspero Bovino, La Bianca, Pompeya, Centenario and the “Atanasio Bonfiglio” Corsódromo.