ANAGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The organizers anticipate that the proposal with public-private initiative will be effective with more than 20 activities in three municipalities: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna and Tegueste. The Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies area of ​​the Cabildo, in collaboration with the Government of the Canary Islands (Promotur), the three town councils with territory in the Massif and the company Ecotouristing launch an event whose objective is to promote the balance between the rich tradition, the landscape and the uses and customs of the resident population with promoting the development of ecotourism through the enhancement of the local primary sector, the new concept of rurality and the archaeological wealth that characterize what has been the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve since 2015.

The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, recalled from the outset her “special connection” with Anaga since she was Councilor for the Environment in the capital’s City Council. She clarified that then the natural space lacked protection and the birth of the Rural Park had the “logical” opposition of the population, jealous of maintaining their traditions. This condition and the 2015 declaration made it possible to provide economic opportunity and conservation to the area’s way of life.

Discover the Massif

Dávila described the proposal of this edition of Anaga Biofest as “very attractive” because “discovering the Massif is always gratifying.” He thanked the municipalities for their work in providing basic services to dispersed populations “so that they can have the same opportunities as if they lived in the center of any municipality.” The president concluded: “We must preserve cultural traditions, part of our history and legacy, and we want to demonstrate this with activities such as Anaga Biofest, a meeting point for many people.”

The vice president and advisor of Tourism, Lope Afonso, for his part, highlighted “an event that will serve to continue promoting the Anaga Natural Reserve” and at the same time “ecotourism, which has increasing demand and participants from, even, of foreign markets”. This, he points out, maintains Tenerife’s position as a reference destination. He also considered that the value of public-private collaboration is important – as he has already pointed out in other areas, such as mobility – “so that festivals like this help to energize municipalities and generate the local economy.”

Hiking “with last name”

The director of Ecotouristing, Javier Tejera, valued “a varied festival program with a multidisciplinary sense.” He emphasized developing the concept of “hiking with a surname” and took stock: “This year the vision with which we started three years ago is reinforced, the objective of making visible the values ​​of the Anaga Massif with a multidisciplinary proposal.” He recognizes that we also “try to generate socioeconomic benefits, working hand in hand with the primary sector.”

Tejera highlighted “the great reception” of the event, which will be enjoyed by around 400 people with a high degree of loyalty, since “six out of ten repeat” he stressed. Activities will also be developed for the visitor profile with the idea of ​​”creating a differentiated offer for the Island.” This year they have also strengthened collaboration with other biosphere reserves. In addition, there is a musical offering with street concerts open to the public and a market that will serve to learn first-hand about local crafts and products. Tejera insisted on the option of “exporting the model” to other protected natural spaces in Tenerife.

Institutional support

Also attending the presentation were the insular director of the Natural Environment, Pedro Millán, as well as the councilors of Mobility and Accessibility of Santa Cruz, Evelyn Alonso; of the Environment of La Laguna, Ángel Chinea, and from the same area of ​​Tegueste, Julián Rodríguez. Millán assessed the effect of overcrowding that Anaga may suffer, as already occurred after the confinement, given the closure of high traffic places affected by the fire.

He pointed out that this circumstance is already being assessed with the security forces and advanced the recovery of spaces that have already reopened or will do so imminently, such as the Camino Ovejero, in El Rosario, or the recreational area of ​​La Cadera de La Orotava. Tejera, for his part, clarified the work in the sense of balancing this burden with the search for new points of activity and not always repeating the same ones or measures such as forming small groups and linking them to some activity or to the experience of the producers. He also valued the studies and diagnoses carried out by the municipalities.

Attractive program

The activities of the III Anaga Biofest will take place on festive long weekend dates chosen to encourage broad participation. The schedule can be consulted on the official website of the event: www.biofest-anaga.com where interested people can review the characteristics of each route, its level of complexity, its objectives and make the corresponding reservation. Routes like From table to table: wine with stars in Tegueste; Among laurels and tabaibas, in search of Antequera beach or Route through the living memory of Roque Negro. For its part, Tapas around La Laguna either Between volcanoes, goats and wines These are some of the alternatives that will be developed throughout these days, with registration rates already practically complete in all cases.

Thus, on November 3 and 4, World Biosphere Reserve Day will be celebrated in the central Plaza del Hermano Ramón in La Laguna, where a market of sustainable projects, entities and initiatives linked to the Anaga Massif will be located. which will be complemented with the program of activities planned for the festival on those days.

Open to the public

An event open to the public without the need for prior registration, just like the proposed musicals. On the one hand, with the now traditional Finaos street concert at night on October 31 at La Placeta de Tegueste. A plan where the attending public will be able to enjoy a chestnut drink with wine with the Ínsula group, to accommodate songs, rhythms, melodies and dances from the oldest roots of Canary Islands.

On the night of November 3, for its part, the group Sabor a Son will perform on the steps leading to the Plaza del Hermano Ramón in La Laguna, on Viana Street, with a proposal that aims to explore the Canarian roots and connections with emigration to Latin America, as a symbol of universality represented by the declarations of biosphere reserves. The closing of the festival will be Anagadúo, with its Atlantic concert, late in the morning of November 5 at the Tegueste market, with a proposal that will include a tasting of seafood, with the collaboration of the Fishermen’s Guild. from La Punta del Hidalgo.

On this occasion, taking advantage of the commemoration of the declaration of the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Biosphere Reserve, a delegation of local agents from the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve traveled to the eighth island to remember the route they once took. the funny women to exchange or sell the fish crossing El Río and climbing the cliffs of Famara. The route Barefoot In this case, it started from Lanzarote and ended on the beach of Caleta de Sebo where a representation of those women explained the difficulty of the journey they were making. The short documentary Caminos con nombre de mujer is the result of this experience and its premiere is scheduled for Thursday, November 2 at the theater Prince Felipe of Tegueste.

The sponsors of the event are the Cabildo of Tenerife, through the Macizo de Anaga Biosphere Reserve Office and Tenerife Tourism, through its brand Tenerife awakens emotions, Canary Islands Tourism and the Government of the Canary Islands, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Next Generation European Union.