[EN] Tarazona turns to the Cipotegato: Jesús Herrera fulfills his dream after 25 years of trying

Thousands of people cheer the Cipotegato while a rain of tomatoes once again dyes a crowded Plaza de España red. Tarazona has experienced this Thursday, August 27, one of the most anticipated images of the year and, for its protagonist, the end of a much longer wait: 25 years trying to become Cipotegato.

At 12.00 p.m., the throwing of tomatoes has accompanied the departure of the character from the door of the City Hall and has kicked off the patron saint festivities in honor of San Atilano. Under the harlequin costume was Jesús Herrera, a 49-year-old Turiasonense who had been participating in the draw for a quarter of a century to embody one of the most emblematic figures of the city’s celebrations.

This year, finally, luck has been on his side. Surrounded by friends and family and in front of a dedicated crowd, the Cipotegato has crossed the streets of Tarazona until returning to the Plaza de España and climbing the statue dedicated to this well-known character. He has thus put an end to a career that he had also wanted to turn into a showcase of Turiason’s heritage.

Days before, during his official presentation together with the mayor of Tarazona, Tono Jaray; the Councilor for Celebrations, José Antonio Docando, and representatives of the city’s supporters’ clubs, the protagonist already recognized the emotion with which he awaited the moment. «It is an honor to represent the character that is the Cipotegato and, above all, to represent my city. I hope you are proud of this Cipotegato,» he said at the time.

A JOURNEY TO TEACH TARAZONA

The chosen itinerary was not accidental. The Cipotegato wanted to take advantage of one of the moments of greatest projection of Tarazona to show some of its most representative corners and monuments.

The race started from the Town Hall and continued along Calle Mayor, El Conde and the Arco de Palacio. From there, the Cipotegato descended through Los Recodos and Fueros de Aragón before crossing the bridge of the Virgen del Río and heading towards the Old Bullring, where it made a stop at the S’ha Feito bar.

Then it resumed the race towards Prado Street and passed through Lourdes, the Cathedral and Church Street. After going down the stairs of San Francisco, it reached the Paseo de la Constitución and, later, crossed the bridge of the Cathedral to face the last meters along Marrodán Street.

The final destination was again the Plaza de España. There, among tomatoes and in front of thousands of people, the race culminated next to the statue of the Cipotegato.

«I wanted to show the beautiful monuments that we have, to make a monumental tour in which the beautiful city that we possess is seen,» he had explained during his presentation.

He was also clear about how he wanted to face the return to the square. «One of the illusions I had was to enter the Plaza de España from the top, from top to bottom. I wanted our imposing square to look good,» he said. This Thursday he was also able to fulfill that wish.

MORE THAN 300 ACTIVITIES UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1

The arrival of the Cipotegato to the Plaza de España has also marked the official beginning of several days of celebration in Tarazona. The patron saint festivities in honor of San Atilano will last until September 1 with a program made up of more than 300 activities for audiences of all ages.

With his harlequin costume completely dyed red, Jesús Herrera finally climbed the statue of the Cipotegato in front of a crowded square. A few minutes of racing were enough to put an end to 25 years of waiting.