a multicolored exaltation of Canarian popular culture

The intense heat that reigned yesterday in the north of the Island did not prevent the realejeros and realejeras celebrated in style one of the most anticipated acts of the May festivitiesthe pilgrimage in honor of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza, which this year also had to be postponed for a week as the date coincided with the call for regional and municipal elections.

The wait was worth it. Nearly 15,000 people, according to data from the Local Police, lived an endearing day in which traditional music and good local wine and gastronomy joined the desire to enjoy a party that was characterized as a multicolored exaltation of Canarian popular culture.

Some arrived on foot and they were already tired from the long stretch they had to walk to the main parish church of the Apostle Santiago; Others, the youngest, did so on TITSA buses, which reinforced its services on lines 390 and 354 between Puerto de la Cruz and Icod de los Vinos, respectively. Two extraordinary taxi ranks were also set up, one of them on Avenida de Remedios in front of the Local Police Headquarters and another on Avenida de Canarias next to the lower area of the slope of the Municipal Market, in the vicinity of its confluence with the Calle Lanzarote, for those who chose to leave the car.

The truth is that after 12:00 noon everyone gathered in the church to start the Eucharistic ceremony. After the interpretation of the Canarian mass by the Tigaray group, the pilgrimage began headed by the images of both saints who were escorted by the Municipal Corporation; the largest pilgrimage of the May Fiestas, Lucía Rodríguez González; and for the other 11 applicants who opted for this title in these May 2023 Holidays.

A total of 93 groups with carts pulled by yokes and floats carried by motorized cultivators, decorated with plants, flowers, fabrics and farm tools, were part of the tour. The last one to leave did so after 5:30 p.m. They were incorporated during the journey that continued towards Los Remedios avenue, Reyes Católicos street, El Llano, El Sol, La Pila and El Medio Arriba, parradas and family groups and friends and there was no shortage of tourists who also wanted to join to the celebration, either by taking photos or asking for a glass of wine or some kneaded gofio.

The folkloric groups representing the eight islands that performed on Saturday at the XLVIII Festival of the Islands, also did so in the pilgrimage. In the case of Tenerife, it was represented by the Guayacsanta Folk Association of Los Realejos, while the other islands were represented by the Hautacuperche Folk Group (La Gomera), the Guadalupe Folk Group (Gran Canaria), the La Oliva (Fuerteventura), Choirs and Dances of Arrecife (Lanzarote), Parranda Los Toledo (La Graciosa), Choirs and Dances Nambroque (La Palma) and the Sabinosa Folk Group (El Hierro).

Return

The return of the saints to the temple took place at 6:00 p.m., as planned, despite the fact that not all the floats had finished the tour. The images of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza were accompanied to the sound of whistles, chácaras and drums by the Agrupación Folclórica Sabinosa from the island of El Hierro, which also did so at the start due to the twinning of more than 40 years that has with Los Realejos participating in the Fiestas de Mayo.

The pilgrimage ended but the party continued with a festival in Viera y Clavijo square by Johnny Maquinaria, Malibú Orchestra and Grupo La Calle. Likewise, on the stage set up on Doctor González street, the AM En Clave duo performed, while on Tenerife street there was music with DJs for the youngest.

As happened at the Baile de Magos, yesterday there was a Violet Point for advice, awareness, accompaniment and immediate intervention for victims of situations of harassment, violence or discrimination outside the offices of the Social Welfare Area of the City Council, located on Avenida de Canarias. This initiative was coordinated with the Department of Equality and the Federation of Arena and Laurissilva Women’s Associations (Famal).