«If I had to choose one word to describe this ending, it would undoubtedly be happiness»

It has been more than twelve months of intense emotions, unforgettable events, and shared moments that will forever remain in the memory of Alba Muñoz Navarro. The bellea del foc of Alicante bids farewell to an unrepeatable year, marked by passion, commitment, and the affection received from every corner of the city and beyond its borders. With a trembling voice but a full heart, she looks back and sums up her experience with a single word: «happiness».

During this time, she has experienced the unimaginable. From the plantà of the official bonfire, to the first prize in her district and the cremà with her loved ones, each moment has been a gift that exceeded any expectation. But the most valuable thing was not just what she lived, but with whom she shared it: her dames d'honor and her «xiquetes» who have lit the way.

Now, with emotion still present and a serene heart, she prepares to close a chapter she has lived with intensity, dedication, and joy. Because even though this chapter in the golden book of the Hogueras of Alicante comes to an end, her bond with the official festivities of Alicante will remain intact. And she is clear: «Let them take away what we've danced, because every moment has been unique.»

I'm happy. I feel immense happiness because throughout the year we have received immense affection from everyone. Now that the end is near, for example during the last mascletàs, we couldn't help but get emotional and cry. The seven of us are very emotional because we feel the melancholy of knowing these are the last hours from this special position. We have been linked to the Fiesta all our lives, and knowing this is ending is a mix of sadness and happiness, for having lived it with such intensity.

We feel privileged to have been here, to have enjoyed it to the fullest. Both my dames d'honor and I are certain that we have made the most of it; we always say «let them take away what we've danced» because every moment has been unique. I am a person who doesn't anticipate too much, I prefer to live each moment as it comes, without imagining anything, and the truth is that everything has exceeded my expectations one hundred percent. If I had to choose one word to describe this ending, it would undoubtedly be happiness, the same that has accompanied us throughout the year.

It has been a golden reign: bellea del foc and also first prize in your bonfire.

Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined something like this. I remember that day perfectly. We were calm, we had just eaten and were heading relaxed to see the award ceremony. However, at the last moment, I started to get nervous, I don't know why, as I have always lived those moments with my commission. When I heard that my bonfire had won the first prize, I couldn't believe it. The mayor handed me the phone to congratulate them, and I was speechless, I could only cry. I got into the car and said: «Let's go to my bonfire!», and when I turned the corner and saw all my people... it was incredible, I couldn't believe it was really happening. Celebrating it with my commission was the most exciting; seeing the happiness on their faces was something I couldn't have imagined even in dreams. Having had the opportunity to live it this way is one of the best moments of my life.

After planting the official bonfire, days before, I told David: «Can I go see the plantà of my bonfire?« For me, that was fundamental, I live it intensely. And having the luck that my bonfire won the first prize and being able to burn it with my people was a gift. At that moment, I wasn't the bellea del foc, I was just one more. Hugging my bellea Andrea, my uncle José, my friends... experiencing it representing my city was a tremendous thrill.

From the first moment, I knew I would have to make significant changes. I work in an office with a fixed schedule, and as soon as I was chosen, I requested a leave of absence because I was clear that I had to dedicate one hundred percent of my time. Holidays only go so far. This year has been wonderful, but it is also an exception, not everyday reality. Every day is different, a myriad of events, commitments, and unique experiences. Life changes completely.

In academics, I am finishing my degree and have been able to balance it without any problem. With desire, organization, and enthusiasm, and above all with a supportive environment, anything is possible. I am very happy both personally and representing this special role.

I am fortunate to have a family that has supported me at all times. I've driven them a bit crazy, but they have been there for me: my partner, my grandparents, my parents, my uncles... everyone has been there and helped me make everything go well. Besides, they are very festive, so they have lived it with me with great enthusiasm.

I am a lifelong festera; I can't imagine my life without les Fogueres. I will continue to live them with the greatest intensity and would love to continue working for the Fiesta. This year I have been able to see all the work behind it, all the hours my colleagues dedicate and strive for each event to go well. I want to contribute my grain of sand, continue betting, enjoy, and return a little to normality. It's a parallel reality, but now it's time to continue with my work, studies, my life... and always linked to 'la Festa més fermosa'.

I have realized, in every place we have visited -València, Castelló, our sister cities; Albacete, Paris, and Murcia-, how much affection they have for us. Everyone shows incredible love for the Fiestas, and it has been wonderful to arrive as a representative and hear: «Alicante is here!». The real brotherhood that exists between all the cities, both inside and outside the Comunitat, is very beautiful.

That exchange of traditions is one of the most beautiful things this role allows. You realize that we all share the same passion for the fiesta, each with its peculiarities. It has been a constant learning experience. And the most beautiful thing I wanted to convey is that love for being foguerers and the excitement we feel. I think we have managed to spread it because people have felt it too. It's wonderful to take our Fiesta outside of Alicante and see the affection with which it is received.

They are wonderful. Each of us contributes what is necessary for the team to fit perfectly. I have seven friends for life, whom I always turn to. In all this time, no one better than us to understand each other. A huge complicity has been created this year that is valuable for any moment in life. They are women who have given everything for the Fiesta. All are festeras by birth, they feel les Fogueres and have given everything. I am proud of them, of the team we have formed, and of the people they are. Hopefully, life will give us a lot of time to continue sharing together, which is what we want most: to enjoy, and let them take away what we've danced.

They are our little whirlwinds. They are seven incredible girls, with that balance between innocence and wisdom, and it's amazing how much they know. We have seen how they have changed from the beginning until now. We have the joke of calling them «our xiquetes,» they always have something to tell us, gossip included! The complicity with them is very beautiful; you listen to them and they leave you speechless. They are like our seven little sisters. It's very typical to say, but seeing the Fiesta through their eyes is a unique experience. We want to grow alongside them, always. They have brought together 14 girls and women, and nothing can separate that now.

I wish from the bottom of my heart that they enjoy it immensely. Whenever I talk to them, I say: enjoy, be yourselves. This process as candidates is a gift that the Fiesta gives them. It is the moment when all the people -their commissions, the foguerers- show them their affection in a very special way. I would tell them to take advantage of every moment, every applause. There is nothing more beautiful than the looks full of pride from their foguerers, their families, and all the love the public gives them. Everything that comes now is for and about them. Most are lifelong festeras and I always repeat to them: we have spent years applauding our candidates; now it's your turn to receive those applauses and enjoy them.

That she captures every moment, because at first, she will be in a complete cloud and will have to assimilate it. I would tell her to try to convey to everyone she meets the passion she feels for the Fiesta, the same that we all feel all the festeros. Also, just be herself, enjoy every little moment, because she will see that everything will surprise her. There are small events, to which you go without any expectation, and you get immense joy and an even greater surprise. Let her not miss any moment, no matter how small it seems. And let her know that we will all be there, always supporting her.