The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, yesterday presided over the final acts of the commemoration of the 226th anniversary of the July 25th Deed, accompanied by councilors Belén Mesa and Javier Caraballero, and attended the recreation of the Signing of the Capitulation of the British troops, commanded by the legendary admiral Horacio Nelson, which took place in the Plaza de La Candelaria.
There, the Historical-Cultural Association Gesta of July 25, 1797 reproduced the moment in which the English signed the surrender before General Gutiérrez, as reflected by the painter Pedro de Guezala in the painting titled The Capitulation. Immediately afterwards, the Tribute to the Fallen was celebrated in front of the monument that stands in the Plaza de La Candelaria, where the mayor, together with representatives of the Association, laid a wreath of flowers.
During this tribute, the anthems of the three countries that took part in the confrontation were performed: Spain, France and England. The event ended with the discharge of rifles and cannons by the reenactors. Bermúdez congratulated the organizers of the commemoration of the 226th anniversary of the Gesta, which he defined as “a success,” as “as demonstrated by the thousands of people who came to the city center this weekend to enjoy this event.” recreation”. The Historical-Cultural Association of the Deed of July 25, 1797, chaired by Andrés Méndez, began the events on Friday with the inauguration of the Period Camp in the Alameda del Duque Santa Elena and with the reproduction of the first confrontations in the Castle Black.
The events continued on Saturday with numerous activities in the Period Camp, in which attendees were introduced to the work of military medicine from the late 18th century and blacksmithing on weapons. There were also interactions with the public about the rifles and cannons on display. At night, the streets of the center of the capital were once again the protagonists of the clashes between the troops of Commander Nelson and General Gutiérrez.
Mayor Bermúdez highlighted that Nelson’s defeat is the most important “military event” in the history of Santa Cruz and, in addition, “marks the path” for its consideration as a city, since six years later, Charles IV granted it the title from Villa Exenta, thereby separating itself from La Laguna. Likewise, after the victory in this battle, the city was named Very Noble, Loyal and Invicta Villa, Plaza and Puerto de Santa Cruz de Santiago de Tenerife, which would influence its subsequent declaration as the capital of the Canary Islands.
The Gesta is honored in September for the first time
It is the first time that the Santa Cruz City Council commemorates the anniversary of the 1797 Deed in the month of September. Traditionally it is held in July, as appropriate, but this year the program of events was postponed for two months to avoid it coinciding with the holding of the general elections.