El Rosario celebrated the pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin of El Rosario that brought together thousands of people, in one of the typical and colorful parades –what the journalist Domingo García Barbuzano would say– more generous in terms of food distribution. And this is known by locals and strangers alike, to the point that it is now customary for them to take up a pole from one of the houses where the traditional fruit offering takes place, at the foot of the old town hall square. yes, typical, because they take it out every year and because it is topped with a cherry- that, when each of the roads arrive, to the cry of “up, up!” They demand attention so that they deposit in it the gastronomic tasting that each one contributes.
The pilgrimage began with the religious celebration in the temple and, at its end, marked the beginning of the journey that leaves already rolled thanks to the slope of the street. As soon as the mass was finished and the blessing was given, The priest proceeded to mark the beginning of the cult in the street and shout, with the force of an arrorró, “Long live the Virgin of La Esperanza!”.
The presence of the patron saint’s throne in the square aroused the comments of the town’s neighbors, who made bets on whether the suit that the Virgin was wearing was new or not, a matter that the unconditional members of the church would resolve later, upon arrival at the square. of the City Council, when they raised the issue with the parish priest. At 25, this is the second time he has worn this green brocade suit with embroidery that enhances the beauty of the image. At the door of the church, Goya Alonso, a neighborhood leader from Afur, in the interior of Anaga, who does not give up. On Saturday, in Taganana and this Sunday, in La Esperanza, where he took the opportunity to take cuts. «The church is very beautiful arranged. Mine –he says in reference to the image of his Virgin– is going to be released next year», He has the satisfaction of having taken ideas. But that will be for next year.
In the church square, the throne is placed waiting for the authorities to extend, where the mayor, Escolástico Gil, and his first deputy mayor –on the right, Fátima Gutiérrez– contrast with the rest of the Corporation dressed of typical costumes and that contrasts with the maceros that to the left and right guard the authorities with their official clothing. The two images, tradition and gala, in the same pilgrimage.
Gone is the memory of the music band that also played the National Anthem dressed in typical costume. Little by little, Escolástico Gil has turned around so that the La Esperanza pilgrimage is precisely an exaltation of traditions. In this edition the bet is called Bentahod, a folkloric group from Villa de La Orotava, which opens the repertoire by touching hearts. Neither the national anthem nor the Canarian anthem, but the Pasodoble Islas Canarias, with music and lyrics joined by the handful of participants waiting for the pilgrimage to leave in the square.
Bentahod –the term means messengers from the valley– was founded in Villa de La Orotava twenty-three years ago and is currently run by Carlos González. It still has some of its founders in its ranks today, such as Domingo, Pancho, Juan, Chicho, Toño… “We have participated in some pilgrimages and especially in magician dances,” explains Pancho, who interrupts the explanation to get into a party formation and begin the Pasodoble.
Strong pretty coat!
Between ¡viva la Virgen de La Esperanza!, almost slips a cry of strong cloak more beautiful!, while Maite, who was waiting for the image to come out, gets up from the bench closest to the door of the church, leaves her husband and takes hold of the mobile to immortalize the moment. “She is the photographer,” says Manuel with satisfaction, who make the journey of the pilgrimage as if they were one more member of the Bentahod folkloric group, who also does not make it difficult to follow the repertoire, from Andrés, Andrés, brush up on the engine to other popular classics that they sing
While the delegation was assembling in the square, a Civil Protection jeep acted as a mobile potato to facilitate the transfer of the priest who, with his crutch, made quite an effort to cross the square, especially given the slope of the street.
And more live! to the Virgin of La Esperanza on the way down from the head of the pilgrimage to the stairs of the town hall beach, Slowly enough so that the person in charge of protocol does not lose time and put the mayor’s vest on.
Although initially it seemed that the queen of the parties was in the second row, it was a simple confusion with the young councilor for Equality, Citizen Participation and Heritage, Irene Villar. And it is that the court of honor of the pilgrimage and the greater pilgrimage were precisely on the first roads, as happened with Gabriela Delgado and Alfredo Rodríguez, with their respective courts of honor.
The pilgrimage continued between songs of festivals and even fanfare, due to the use of wind instruments and even accordion, running from the head of the pilgrimage until reaching the square of the old town hall, where the throne of the Patron Saint of La Esperanza was installed.. And just in front, at the foot, a tribune was set up with three seats, two for as many priests, and another for the older sister of the brotherhood. All under the watchful eye of Manuel Asensio and his security team.
After the first offering, by the mayor and his number two, Fátima Gutiérrez, there were performances by folkloric groups that alternated between the carts, such as the friends of La Esperanza, Cumbres Gomeras, Aires Isleños, Virgen de Fátima, Princesa Iraya and even the group of Island Friends, who came from the island of Gran Canaria.
In the future of the pilgrimage, first Bentahod, to follow a ship that sailed on asphalt, when it joined from the street next to the new town hall, next to the Dance of Guamasa; then, another boat, this time with Cumbres Gomeras, to arrive the wagons of pilgrims and pilgrims flanked by the Friends of La Esperanza and Aires Isleños and the School of Folklore and Illusion Canaria.
wagon, group; wagon group
In that exaltation of the commitment to the culture of the land, road and gripo: Venturrey group; another road and the Leopoldo Morales group… and there was an uproar when one of the most awaited floats arrived, the one from Montesano, due to his generosity. Between shouts of “here, here!” or “up, up!”, with pole in hand, they distributed meat products, vindicating in the pilgrimage the commitment they maintain throughout the year for having the company headquarters in this municipality. And to help the enjoyment, sangria car, to the rhythm of the Virgen de la Alegría group; wagon and dance El Candil; wagon and Agrupación Santa Cecilia… and the second of the roads sought in the La Esperanza pilgrimage arrived, the one sponsored by Egatesa, the other meat products company. And to its lake, Princesa Iraya group, to continue with the Tamaragua Cultural Association, arrival of ElTablero, and ElTonique; wagon and Marine Blood Group; cart or party by Amigos Isleños, to continue with Eugenio’s car and from there expand the animal representation. Along with the goat herds, donkeys from Llano del Moro, with the goats from Román; Eulalio sheep, and more goats, thanks to Petra and Hilario who fed the exhibition of the primary sector in the streets of La Esperanza.
During the tour, residents and visitors shared the satisfaction of the temperature with which the pilgrimage took place. “Last night – from Saturday to Sunday – I even had to go home to get the cardigan,” they explained to Milagros, to the point that a neighbor assured that it had rained a little. At that moment, a lull in the conversation to deal with the distribution of meat which, in the case of the Egatesa and Montesano carts, are served on a platter, another of the characteristics in this type of exaltations of folklore.
And from the pilgrimage, to the verbena, with two stage classics: the Revelation orchestras, from Barranco Hondo, and the Wamampy, while some took advantage of the lie in the carts already parked at the end of the journey; and it is that La Esperanza can boast of being a pilgrimage with more food than participants, and not because few attend. This Monday several guided routes are offered through the Adelantado forest, like a wink or a toast from the mayor to the new Hope that is already knocking on the door in the form of squares.
