Juan Martínez Moreno confirmed the link between Calasparra, the fiestas and the Sanctuary during his official In augural Speech of the Rice Fiesta this week.
The Santuary was especially lit for the occasion and the Association Band of Music of Calasparra closed the event.
Hundreds of candles lit the path to the main Sanctuary Square where the statue of Our Lady of Hope presided over the proceedings.
Local radio presenter, Maria Jose Gomariz, hosted the event which was attended by the Mayor of Calasparra, Jesus Navarro, the President of the Sanctuary Foundation, Antonio José Egea, and the winner of the Pilgrimage poster competition, Diego Antonio Áznar Galipienso.
