LA LAGUNA (TENERIFE), 25th April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Yesterday, the City Council of La Laguna paid tribute to the renowned theatre director Eloy Díaz de la Barreda (1927-2018) by unveiling a commemorative plaque in the square located on the corner of Gitama and Pardelera streets, in the neighbourhood of San Bartolomé de Geneto.
The Mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, along with several members of the municipal corporation, gathered for this event which the councilor described as “simple yet significant for the municipality of La Laguna and the cultural sphere of the Canary Islands.”
In attendance were the three children of the honouree, family members, friends, and notable figures from La Laguna society such as the former mayor and founder of Los Sabandeños, Elfidio Alonso, and the official city chronicler, Eliseo Izquierdo.
“This is a rightful tribute to a man who made culture his vocation, a maestro of the spoken word who left an enduring impact on those who had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with him during his extensive theatrical career, a luminary of the stage, a mentor to mentors, and a champion of young talents,” expressed Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, who portrayed Eloy Díaz de la Barreda as “a La Laguna enthusiast deeply connected to his homeland, who, aside from his artistic prowess, was known for his warmth, generosity, joviality, and exemplary character.”
Ángela Díaz, the honouree’s daughter, conveyed the family’s appreciation for this recognition and elaborated on the extensive professional and personal journey of Eloy Díaz de la Barreda.
“His legacy transcends the productions he directed, it lives on through the teachings he imparted, the enthusiasm he instilled in his actors, and the passion for theatre he infused in future generations. For him, life was akin to a play where one must sometimes take the lead and other times play supporting roles,” she remarked.
Eloy Díaz de la Barreda stood as a prominent figure in Tenerife’s cultural landscape, particularly during the 50s and 70s, championing amateur theatre in Tenerife following the establishment of the Ateneo de La Laguna School of Dramatic Arts.
He also helmed the Canary Islands Chamber Theater and the University Spanish Theater of La Laguna, apart from embodying the popular character Tío Pepote on the dramatic platforms of ‘Radio Club Tenerife’.
Although he served as the head of protocol for the Cabildo of Tenerife professionally, his true passion lay in theatre, culminating in his reception of the Honour Award in 2013 at the ‘Replica’, the prestigious performing arts accolades of the Canary Islands.
This accolade celebrated a lifetime dedicated to theatre, where he served as director for over fifty productions, as well as a set designer, critic, educator, speaker, editor, and consultant on scenic matters for various organisations.
He introduced a plethora of texts and playwrights to the Canary Islands, both national and international, and notably from the archipelago itself, including Ángel Camacho, Gilberto Alemán, and José H. Chela, whose works he premiered.
