'Murgas Freak' School Head Hosts Carnival 'Song of Laughter' Contest
Santa Catalina de Siena FESD School will host the "Song of Laughter" contest for the Santa Cruz Carnival, a decision enthusiastically embraced by its director, Fernando Llombet, a self-proclaimed "murgas freak."
When Fernando Llombet, the head of Santa Catalina de Siena FESD School, was asked if his school would host the "Song of Laughter" contest, he didn't hesitate. Fernando is a big fan of Carnival; he calls himself a "murgas freak" and loves both the street parties and the competitions.
The idea of Santa Catalina de Siena FESD School hosting the "Song of Laughter" came about by chance. During a recent visit from the Virgen de Candelaria to the school, the Mayor's Office suggested it. They saw the school's theater and told the religious community they were interested in holding a Carnival event there, without knowing exactly what it would be.
From that moment, things moved quickly. The first contact with the Fiestas department started to shape the plans. "They told us they wanted to organize La Canci贸n de la Risa and came to visit us," Fernando explained. Representatives from Fiestas and Televisi贸n Canaria visited the space and were pleased. The next visit included the contest groups and their host, Man贸n Marichal, and they were also delighted.
Fernando Llombet remembers that during that second visit, they told him they hadn't seen "a better theater" for the "Song of Laughter." So, the school offered everything from classrooms to parking spaces for the mobile unit, giving them full control.
"The Santa Cruz Carnival is famous, so for a part of it to happen here is a source of pride for us," Llombet said. Fernando sees himself as a key link in this relationship between the school and the Carnival.
The general director describes himself as a "great carnival enthusiast" and a "murgas freak." He recalled, "A long time ago, more than thirty years ago, I was in the Triqui Traques. I'm a murga fan of the preliminary stages. And the final too, but the final is more about the show. Not so much now, but before I used to go to all three phases and the final, listening to them entirely. I'm very much into murgas, very much into lyrics. I'm a murgas freak."
He also admitted that being part of the Triqui Traques was a childhood dream come true. "It was one of my goals when I was little, to be able to perform in a murga. I achieved it, but work prevented me from continuing."