Almankor, a composer, participated in Benidorm Festival 2024 representing his own territory. The mayor of Villena, Fulgencio Cerdán, accompanied by a delegation that included the People’s Party spokesperson Miguel Ángel Salguero, Green Assembly member Paula García, PSOE spokesperson Javier Martínez, and Vox spokesperson Ana María Cerdán, attended the ceremony with Villena’s Arturo Almarcha from Almacor. He emerged as one of the favorites in the festival edition. The event drew attention from local politicians and community leaders who see the festival as a platform to showcase Villena and its cultural talent.
Almancar described his participation in the national competition as a dream. He stated that he carries Villena with him wherever he goes, expressing pride in his city and its supporters. He spoke about his ambitions, saying that he plans to enter the festival with great excitement and that he hopes to debut successfully, with the long-term goal of reaching Eurovision. The participant framed his involvement as a way to add his contribution to the urban genre while also increasing visibility for his city and town, explaining that the project is about representing local identity on a wider stage.
The artist from Villena spoke about his entry song, Brillos platino, describing it as a track that embodies everything he wants to express along his path. He noted that this song makes him particularly happy and that it was chosen for Benidorm Festival because it reflects a sense of responsibility and a desire to make a strong impression. Despite having a catalog of beautiful songs, he felt that this particular theme needed to shine with a distinctive sparkle that would resonate with audiences and judges alike.
He emphasized that the performance for the festival is being crafted with meticulous care, focusing on the stage design and presentation to surprise audiences in a positive way. The preparation involves a careful choreography, lighting, and staging to ensure the act feels special and memorable on the festival night, aiming to connect with viewers through a compelling live experience.
The mayor highlighted the unwavering support of the entire organization and the strength of Villena in pursuing a strong result at the upcoming edition of Benidorm Fest. He announced that on the final day, the City Council would host a large public viewing event so residents could closely follow Almancar’s performance, with the belief that the act could reach the final rounds. Local officials also promised to arrange a celebratory performance in Villena to celebrate the artist’s hometown connection and to underscore the city’s pride in its singer.