The courtyard of the Antequera Town Hall hosted the Speech for the Real Feria de Agosto 2026, delivered by ADIPA, and the appointment of Macarena Espinar as Regidora. The evening, presided over by Mayor Manolo Barón, advocated for inclusion.
The courtyard of the Antequera Town Hall was filled on the night of Wednesday, August 19 to experience the Speech of the Real Feria de Agosto de Antequera 2026 and the official appointment of its Regidora, Macarena Espinar Rodríguez, alongside her seven Manolas. The event had a strong inclusive tone, with ADIPA as the leading entity in its 50th anniversary.
The event was presided over by the Mayor of Antequera, Manolo Barón; the deputy mayor in charge of Major Festivals, Traditions, and Flamenco Promotion, Elena Melero; and the municipal secretary, Francisco Fernández Yera. Also present were the president of ADIPA, Mariano Mir; the 2025 speaker, María Rosales; the new Regidora, Macarena Espinar; and her predecessor, Lourdes Moreno.
Among the authorities, the first secretary of the Parliament of Andalusia, José Ramón Carmona; the deputy minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Development, and Public Administration of the Junta de Andalucía, Ana Corredera; and the territorial delegate for Economy, Finance, European Funds, and Industry, Energy, and Mines in Málaga, Antonio García Acedo, attended.
Journalist Rocío Moltó hosted a ceremony that opened with the José Galán Company of Inclusive Flamenco, a pioneering project that has brought flamenco and performing arts to people with different abilities since 2010. Throughout the event, there was a sign language interpreter.
The municipal secretary read the agreement from the Local Government Board that designates ADIPA as the Speaker for the Real Feria de Agosto 2026. The mayor presented the accreditation title to Mariano Mir on behalf of the collective.
After recognising the outgoing Regidora, Lourdes Moreno Aragón, Macarena Espinar was proclaimed as the Regidora of the Real Feria de Agosto 2026. A native of Antequera and a civil guard since 2003, Espinar currently works in the VioGen Team of Antequera, specialising in gender violence. The mayor presented her with the title, Elena Melero the commemorative fan, and Lourdes Moreno a bouquet of flowers.
The seven Manolas of the Real Feria de Agosto 2026 are: Isabel Conejo Martín, Carmen Belén Del Pino Narbona, Ana Isabel Del Pino Sierra, Begoña Lamparero Recuero, Pilar Peláez Gómez, Lucía Rojas Sancho, and Sonia Ruiz Muñoz. All received personalised bouquets and fans, hand-decorated by Antequera artist María Jesús Ramírez, a tradition maintained by the Town Hall since 2012.
The central moment was a Speech in four voices featuring Milagros Fernández Pérez, a worker at the Special Employment Centre; José Roda García, a user of the “Antonio Rodríguez” Occupational Day Centre; Susana García Prados, a psychologist at ADIPA; and Eva Ortiz Arjona, a Personal and Social Adjustment technician.
The speakers combined personal experiences, memories of the Fair, and scenic surprises to convey a message: inclusion is not just about being present, but about participating, deciding, and enjoying equally. The event celebrated 50 years of ADIPA and the need to continue breaking down barriers.
Inclusion is not just about being present, but about being able to participate, decide, enjoy, and be part of society on equal terms.
The evening passed the baton to the Real Feria de Agosto de Antequera 2026, which will soon kick off with these appointments and a Speech that has already made history for its commitment to inclusion.
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