The Málaga actress María Barranco received the official appointment as Flagbearer of the Málaga Fair 2026 in an emotional ceremony at Gibralfaro Castle, presided over by Mayor Francisco de la Torre.
The Málaga actress María Barranco is now officially the Flagbearer of the Málaga Fair 2026. The appointment took place during the traditional event organized by the Historical Centre Association of Málaga at Gibralfaro Castle, a venue that once again brought together nearly 200 guests, including authorities, family members, and personalities from the city's social and cultural life.
The Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, was responsible for presenting the recognition to the actress, accompanied by the Councillor for Festivals, Teresa Porras; the president of the association, Rodrigo Bocanegra Valdés, and Rocío Gaspar. The event, presented by Pepelu Ramos, also featured representatives from the Junta de Andalucía and several councillors from the City Council.
Visibly emotional, Barranco thanked for the distinction with a speech full of humour and affection for her homeland. Amid laughter and applause, she requested to be called “María Flagbearer Barranco” from now on and confessed that she loves Málaga “as much as Scarlett O'Hara loved Tara” in Gone with the Wind, assuring that she will carry the Flag of Málaga with immense pride.
The president of the Historical Centre Association, Rodrigo Bocanegra Valdés, publicly thanked the actress for accepting the role and emphasized that the appointment is a tribute to her artistic career and her enduring bond with the city. During the evening, attendees surrounded the actress with continuous applause in an atmosphere that the organizers described as “very emotional.”
With this event, the association begins the countdown to the XLIII Romería of the Málaga Fair, which will take place on Saturday, August 15. On that day, María Barranco will carry the Flag of Málaga from the City Hall to the Sanctuary of Victoria at the head of the traditional procession, a route that gathers thousands of Málaga residents each year.
This year's Romería has the support of the City Council's Operational Services Area, the Provincial Council, Málaga de Moda, Talento Original, and CaixaBank, with the collaboration of the “la Caixa” Foundation, Hampton by Hilton Málaga Martiricos, Grupo Safamotor, Cruzcampo, Cartojal, and Coca-Cola, entities that make the continuity of this emblematic event in the pre-Fair calendar possible.
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