Juan Carlos Jurado, president of the Council of Brotherhoods of Cadiz, has described the Holy Week of 2026 as a "radiant" and "fully normal" event. Following a "fantastic" Dolores Friday, the city enjoyed "magnificent" weather, allowing all brotherhoods to complete their penitential stations, a feat not achieved since before the pandemic.
“"We have made a little bit of history."
Among the milestones of this edition, Jurado highlighted the procession of the Cristo de Humillación y Paciencia on Passion Saturday, increasing the number of brotherhoods in the vigils to three, a fact "unthinkable three or four years ago." He also noted the return of Aguas and the first procession of Sanidad from the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, as well as the return of El Caído to Parque Genovés after 18 years and the procession of the Perdón brotherhood from the Cathedral.
The massive public attendance, both from Cadiz and beyond, from Dolores Friday to Resurrection Sunday, was another positive aspect. Jurado interpreted this as a sign that "Cadiz Holy Week is gaining recognition" and that the joint efforts of the City Council and the brotherhoods are yielding results.
Regarding previous organizational issues at the Oratorio de San Felipe, Jurado adopted a conciliatory stance, trusting in a solution with the Bishopric, though he did not rule out some brotherhoods seeking new venues. Concerning the incident between bearers of the Siete Palabras brotherhood on Good Friday, he called it a "deplorable situation" and an "isolated incident," assuring that the brotherhood would take action, but insisting it should not overshadow the grandeur of Holy Week.
The president of the Council expressed gratitude for the support from Juanma Moreno, acting president of the Junta de Andalucía, for declaring Cadiz Holy Week an International Tourist Interest, which he believes will boost tourism and local economy. He also praised the brotherhoods' efforts to improve their processions and heritage, as well as their contribution of 454,690 euros to charity. Looking ahead, plans include increasing the number of box seats in the Official Route, especially in San Juan de Dios square, and finding a larger social headquarters for the Council of Brotherhoods, while the Cofrade museum project is still under development.
