The summer arrival materializes every year in the affectionate and popular holidays that we celebrate in the Barrio of Carmen. The quarter adorns itself to assemble thousands of persons, attracted by the generosity and the good reception that there excuse the neighbors of this corner of Murcia.

Because to speak about Carmen is to speak about his good people and about his customs, about his history and folklore. It is to speak about Murcia, about our noble ground sowed with women and happy, hard-working, generous men.

And this generosity of which you make a show is the one that has invited me to share with you the honor of being Gran Maestre del Xº International Music Festival "Barrio del Carmen". Like murciano and like Vice-mayor of Culture and Celebrations I feel enormously pleased by this award, of which I will try to be deserving and which I already celebrate with happiness for my enormous fondness and link to this big quarter.

I want to wish you all the neighbors of Carmen that you enjoy intensely these holidays.
And together with this greeting, I thank all the persons who disinterestedly commit themselves year after year and work so that these days are a reality.

Happy holidays to all.