The Town Hall of Antequera has appointed Macarena Espinar Rodríguez, an officer of the Civil Guard assigned to the VioGén team, as the Mayor of the Real Feria de Agosto de 2026. A recognition of the women of Antequera and the work of the Armed Institute.
The Town Hall of Antequera has designated Macarena Espinar Rodríguez, a 45-year-old civil guard, as the Mayor of the Real Feria de Agosto de 2026. The decision, announced this Thursday by Mayor Manolo Barón and Deputy Mayor Elena Melero, aims to highlight the role of women in public service, especially those in the Civil Guard.
Macarena Espinar, born in Antequera and mother of two, has been in the Corps for 23 years. She is currently part of the VioGén team, specialised in gender violence, based in the city itself. Her career includes postings in Archidona, Vitoria, and Antequera, and she has received several awards for her work.
A tribute to the Civil Guard and the women of Antequera
Mayor Manolo Barón emphasised that the appointment represents "a gesture of gratitude from the entire city" towards the Civil Guard. "We want that great family to feel loved, admired, and appreciated at the Real Feria de Agosto," he stated. According to the mayor, Espinar's selection "will represent the women of Antequera, public service, and the Civil Guard."
For the residents of Antequera, the figure of the Mayor is a symbol of the patron saint festivities. This year, the role falls to a professional who has dedicated her life to safety and protection, and who passionately embraces local traditions. Espinar has participated for six years escorting the Lord of the Rescue during Holy Week and claims to have requested holidays every year since 2008 to not miss the Feria.
A career of service and recognition
Macarena Espinar joined the Civil Guard in 2003. Among her merits is an award from the Málaga Provincial Council in 2016 for her fight against gender violence, and her inclusion in the book "Professions Without Gender" in 2020. She has also received medals for years of service and recognitions from the Government Subdelegation in Málaga for her participation in the Director Plan in the region.
The future Mayor has expressed her gratitude for the appointment with emotion: "It is a great pleasure and a huge pride to represent Antequera as Mayor and, of course, the institution that I carry as my banner." The Town Hall is confident that she will carry out her role "with the formality, humility, sensitivity, simplicity, and solidarity that characterise her."
The Real Feria de Agosto de Antequera, declared of National Tourist Interest, will be held from 15 to 19 August 2026. Macarena Espinar will be in charge of proclaiming the festivities and presiding over the main events, in an edition that promises to be especially emotional for the city.
You may also like
