For Las Marchilongas, Carnival isn’t just about getting on stage and hoping the judges like you.
It’s about the people, the friendships and turning up year after year.
The all-female adult murga is celebrating 40 years since its formation, although interruptions including the pandemic mean this will be their 38th Carnival.
At the helm is Keyla Jerez Reyes, who has been part of the group since she was a child and has seen plenty of changes along the way.
From Los Bambas to leading Las Marchilongas
Keyla’s Carnival story started with the children’s group Los Bambas, where she spent 14 years before joining Las Marchilongas.
She also grew up watching her mother, who was director and president of the group, and that clearly left its mark.
When the opportunity eventually came for Keyla to take over the leadership, she stepped up, although her mother initially worried that she was too young for the job.
She became director in 2012, a year she still remembers as one of the particularly special moments of her time with the group.
It’s about more than competition
Keyla believes one of the things that sets Las Marchilongas apart is their consistency over the years.
But there is another important ingredient.
The people.
Members of different generations have built friendships within the group, with younger women mixing with those who have been involved for many years.
For Keyla, that sense of community is what makes the rehearsals and performances worthwhile.
Competition is obviously part of being a murga, but she doesn’t want the obsession with results to take over. Members put a lot of their own time, effort and money into Carnival, so she believes they should actually enjoy being part of it.
A fairly sensible approach, really.
Four decades of sticking together
Las Marchilongas have experienced their share of difficult periods over the years, but Keyla says staying together through the good times and the difficult ones has been crucial.
The group’s longevity is something she is particularly proud of.
It’s also significant because Las Marchilongas are an all-female group operating in a Carnival environment that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Keyla hopes audiences continue to recognise what the group has contributed over the years and appreciate the work that goes on behind the performances.
Looking towards Carnival 2027
For the next Carnival, Keyla’s ambitions aren’t particularly complicated.
She wants Las Marchilongas to deliver a performance they’re proud of and, more importantly, for the members to enjoy the process.
Much of her motivation comes from her mother, whose passion and determination have played a major role in keeping the group going.
Keyla remains committed to Las Marchilongas and the role she has taken on, although she also recognises that there’s a life beyond Carnival and has her own plans and ambitions for the future.
For now, though, it’s another Carnival ahead.
Another set of rehearsals.
Another performance.
And another chance for Las Marchilongas to keep doing what they’ve been doing for four decades.