"Today I wanted to come and tell you something simple: thank you, and thank you on behalf of all the people of Zaragoza," the mayor said before announcing the proposal. With the Fiestas del Pilar drawing ever closer, she recalled that the celebrations begin each year with a square packed with thousands of residents waiting to hear the opening speech.
"This year, I would like the words they hear to be those of the Zaragoza firefighters as the speakers," she told them. After asking whether they wanted to take on the role, the response came amid applause and visible emotion.
GREAT EXCITEMENT AMONG THE FIRE SERVICE
The choice has prompted particular emotion among the professionals. In a video of the announcement posted by Chueca on her social media accounts, one firefighter acknowledges that the proposal has made them "extremely excited," while Zaragoza Fire Chief Eduardo Sánchez also appears visibly moved by the assignment.
The firefighters will thus become the protagonists of the moment that officially marks the start of the Fiestas del Pilar each year, which this year will be held from October 10 to 18. They will be the ones to deliver the opening speech to the thousands of Zaragoza residents who gather in the square to welcome the 2026 festivities, after six prominent figures from Aragon's film industry did the same last year in a collective format.
The choice also represents public recognition of the work of a service particularly closely linked to the city and its residents. Last year, they received the city's Favorite Son title, and this time they will have the honor of opening Zaragoza's most eagerly awaited festivities with their words.
