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Carnaval Mazatlan 2008 honors Anabella I, the 1958 Queen
Maz. Sin. Jan, 7, 2007
Among the many events and shows connected year after year with Mazatlan's International Carnaval is the interlude in which the queens of 25 and 50 years ago are honored.
In 2008, it's the turn of her majesty Anabella Gonzalez Guereña, who bears the crown as Queen of Carnaval in the year 1958. Fifty years ago she was crowned by the Governor of the State of Sinaloa, Rigoberto Aguilar Pico, an authority who wrote sweet verses inspired by the beauty and amiability of the young woman.
"When God calls us home, we have to leave good memories in the minds of people," said the former queen, recalling her love for her birthplace. Despite the fact that she now lives in Sonora, she says she left her heart in Mazatlan. She also left a great legacy,f or she is part of the history of this city.
"To be part of Mazatlan history is a source of pride, and to be honored on the 50th anniversary of my time as Queen of Carnaval is even more so," she said by telephone, adding that she looks forward to her arrival in Mazatlan to celebrate the jubilee of an event so important in her life.
Her whole family is excited about the forthcoming tribute to be paid to her, especially her four children Homero, Anabella, Francisco y Mauricio.
Anabella I, daughter of Rafael Gonzalez y Salazar and Marcela Guereña, grew up in a family steeped in the tradition of Carnaval. That tradition has been a heritage through the generations, for in 1952 Anabella's sister Dora del Carmen Gonzalez Guereña was Queen of Carnaval Mazatlan, and before that, in 1902, one of her aunts (Refugio Munguia Salazar) also wore the crown. This year her niece, Arantxa Marcela Tirado Gonzalez, is a candidate for the crown of Child Queen of Carnaval 2008.
"I have many memories," said Sra. Anabella, " but one sticks out in my mind. I don't remember what year it was, but I had the good fortune and honor of delivering a bouquet from the Queen of Carnaval to the President of the Republic, Adolfo Lopez Mateos, before a crowd of important political and show business personalities."
One of the personages who continues to give life to carnaval each year is Rigoberto Lewis. In 1958 he created the royal float for Anabella I. "I remember that the float was designed exclusively for me," she said. "It was decorated with beautiful varieties of fish, including some enormous marlin."
In 1958, Anabella Gonzalez Guereña competed against Martha C. "Pequi" Tirado Almada, who won the title of Queen of the Flower Games and the following year became Queen of Carnaval herself. Friends from early childhood, they both achieved their dreams of wearing carnaval crowns and riding floats from the Fisherman's Monument to Olas Altas in the parade organized by municipal government.
Anabella I will be deservedly honored for her great legacy and her part in the history of Mazatlan International Carnaval at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in the Salon Bacanora, during the coronation pageant for the Queen of Carnaval 2008. She also will participate in the carnaval parades on Feb. 3 and 5, when spectators' cheers will rekindle her memories of being queen 50 years ago.
Departamento de Prensa y Difusión
Av. Miguel Alemán 203, Centro
CP 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa
(669) 982-4444 ext. 120
2008-01-07
