This Friday, the Agramar venue hosted the grand final of the XXXV edition of the Arrecife Carnival Murgas Contest 2025, an event that was not without setbacks due to the adverse weather conditions. The strong wind forced the act to be delayed and some of the scheduled performances to be canceled, but it did not prevent the public from enjoying a night full of humor, social criticism and music.
After a close competition, the first prize went to Los Simplones, who took the top award. Second place went to Los Desahuciados, while Los Tabletúos completed the podium by taking third prize. In addition, Los Simplones also took the Criticón award.
Murgas Awards
This last song made them worthy of the 'Carlos Pérez' awards for the most ingenious lyrics awarded by Los Simplones. They also received the 'Ambrosio Cabrera' award given by the murga Los Gorfines for the best lyrics of the three phases for their song 'An intensely emotional theme', which they performed in the first phase on Monday; and the 'Franciso José Navarro' award for the murga with the most magic given by Las Vacilonas.
Next, Los Desahuciados participated, showing off their third prize for Fantasy, Design and Costumes 'From an aurora borealis to Lanzarote, the last guardian of the Arctic', by Iván Marín Hormiga.
With 55 members, 28 years of history and musically directed by Adrián Hernández, the murga from Valterra, presided over by Miguel Martín Morales, won the Second Prize for Interpretation, Lyrics and Music with the themes 'The importance of small things' and 'With my gang of thieves, today I steal you'.
In third place, the Afilarmónica Los Tabletúos took to the stage, founded in 2003, made up of 51 members and presided over by Ricardo Ramos. Under the musical direction of Manuel Garcés and wearing the fantasy '225 years and a dream to fulfill', by Toño Aparicio, they performed 'For rent' and 'Before and after' with which they won the Third Prize for Interpretation, Lyrics and Music.
Next, Las Vacilonas performed, once again delighting the public with their presentation, winner of this edition, and the design 'Little mirror, little mirror... with glitter and my costume my magic returns to Carnival', by Josua Sánchez and Toño Aparicio, with which they won the Second Prize for Design, Fantasy and Costumes.
'Criticón' and 'Enralado' Awards
In fifth place, Los Simplones intervened, who this year, on their 20th anniversary, won the First Prize for Fantasy, Design and Costumes with 'Not everything is what it seems, the 20 years are present', designed by the murga itself.
With 62 members and presided over by Mencey Curbelo, the murga from the Valterra neighborhood performed under the musical direction of Quique Martín 'The 3D scanner' and 'Tonight we're going to blow it up', with which they obtained the 'Criticón Award'. In addition, Las Enraladas awarded them the 'Enralado' award.
In sixth and last place, Los Intoxicados performed, the oldest murga in the competition with 43 years of existence, 53 members and also from the Valterra neighborhood, who wore 'With this flousito the old men are arriving', designed by Pablo and Naira Luis.
Under the musical direction of Cristina Marrero, the murga presided over by Ángel Manuel Pérez performed the songs 'Antisistemas' and 'According to how you measure it' which at its conclusion gave way to the deliberation of the jury while the singer Noelia Estévez performed on stage.
In this final, six murgas participated, selected last Tuesday, February 24 in an exciting battle for the title of the best murga of the Arrecife Carnival 2025. The groups that competed were Las Inadaptadas, Los Desahuciados, Los Tabletúos, Las Vacilonas, Los Simplones and Los Intoxicados, who performed in that order according to the draw previously held.
The Final Gala of the XXXV Adult Murgas Contest of the Arrecife Carnival also featured an emotional video tribute dedicated to the 50 years of the historic presenter and announcer of Radio Lanzarote Francisco José Navarro on stage.
Despite the climatic difficulties, the spirit of the Arrecife Carnival shone brightly in this edition, demonstrating once again the creativity and talent of the participating murgas. The attendees enjoyed an unforgettable night, in which music, humor and social criticism combined to celebrate one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the island.
