The awards and coronation ceremony for the figures and categories of the 2018 Carnival edition was held this Saturday at the Convention Center. The members of Imperio filled the hall and celebrated the crown achieved. Mayor Enrique Cresto announced the granting of land within the Corsódromo premises to the comparsas so they can build their own workshops.
The ceremony began in a very emotional way. The Carnival Entity decided to institute the Golden Momo Award, which will be presented year after year to the person who stands out for their commitment, dedication, and contribution to the greatest festival of the summer. In this first edition, the Golden Momo went to Professor Martín Herrera, who passed away last February. His sister and nephews went up to the stage to receive the distinction, visibly moved, and all the carnival participants present, regardless of their affiliation, gave a thunderous round of applause in recognition of the beloved Martín.
Then it was time for the presentation of the various awards to the figures and categories, and the Batería Nota 10, champion of this edition, brought all the rhythm to the night. Agustina Barrio, from Comparsa Ráfaga, was crowned 2018 Carnival Queen by the Mayor and his wife, Leticia Ponzinibio, and upon speaking, she said: "throughout the summer I had the honor of being the Queen of Ráfaga and I did it the best I could. Now I have the honor and the commitment to be the queen of the entire Carnival, and I will do it with great dedication; even though my heart is in Ráfaga, I will represent all carnival participants of all affiliations throughout the year, and I will try to do it in the best possible way, because this festival has no ceiling, thank you very much," she expressed.
Before the presentation of the 2018 Champion Cup to Comparsa Imperio, the president of the Carnival Entity, Matías Soto, pointed out that "this administration led by Mayor Enrique Cresto is making history for the Carnival of Concordia. We analyzed all the improvements and all the initiatives that have been carried out in these editions, having reached a record number of spectators in 2018 without having to regret any act of violence, and for the second consecutive year, it is the key event for us to have 100% hotel occupancy in Concordia during the long Carnival holiday weekend," emphasized Soto.
Grandstands and a premises for each comparsa
While Mayor Cresto, after congratulating "all the winners and all the members of each comparsa who make the Carnival of Concordia one of the best in the country and the most passionate," announced that "in April we will be awarding the construction work for the first stage of the Corsódromo grandstands. This is a work that will remain for the Carnival, beyond the administrations. We have made a great effort to be able to deliver contributions to each comparsa in due time so that each one can work well. Because that is the goal, for the Carnival to continue growing, because it is a unique popular festival, with great cultural importance for our city, and a tourist event that has much to offer and that benefits all residents of Concordia," he maintained.
"When the State intervenes, it levels up; that is the decision of this administration, and that was demonstrated this year, as we had the best edition of the Carnival of Concordia. For 2019, we are going to work to make it even better, which is why we are going to give each comparsa its own space within the Corsódromo premises, so they can build their own workshop right here, and can work better," announced Cresto upon signing the agreement with the Carnival Entity. "We are going to work together with the comparsas to obtain the necessary resources to make this a reality, and that is why in the coming months we will also hold the Carnival Bingo so that both the comparsas and the members can obtain resources and it serves for each one to make their costumes," he also said.
"These are times when there are not many economic resources, but we are convinced that by working together, with innovative ideas, we will continue to strengthen this great festival, which leaves every tourist who visits it amazed and recommending it, because the passion that each member puts into the Carnival is unique in the whole country," stressed the mayor.
Also present during the awards ceremony were Council members Sebastián Cuberli and Iván Alalí, Executive advisor María de los Ángeles Petit, Undersecretary of Tourism Miguel Guitar, and Convention Center Director María Paz Bonelli, among other officials.