Valle San Lorenzo witnessed the central celebration of the festivities in Honour of the Virgin of Fátima with the Mass and afterwards the Pilgrimage, where thousands of residents and visitors of all age groups took part. This religious event turned into a popular celebration, following a tradition that dates back to 1957. The Fátima Pilgrimage, the oldest in the municipality of Arona, gained momentum that extended beyond the confines of the urban centre of San Lorenzo Valley from 1973 onwards.
51 years later, the day in the Valley eloquently exemplifies the blend of religious traditions and popular customs. Local residents pay homage to the image of the Virgin of Fátima, with this sentiment palpable during the pre-procession mass held at the Parish of San Lorenzo Mártir. As the celebration concluded, emotions surged amongst the hundreds witnessing the emergence of the image of the Virgin from the church, carried on the shoulders of the bearers, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and chácaras.
The journey to the Mirador de la Centinela commenced soon after. The route, an upward spiralling ramp with the Virgin of Fátima on her float, was adorned with various floats, folk groups, and performers dressed in an array of traditional attire. The spectacle at La Centinela was breathtaking, a kaleidoscope of shapes, colours, and sounds intermingling along over three kilometres of the TF-28 highway.
Upon reaching the lookout point, the final climb to the Cruz de La Centinela was marked by a floral offering, a customary blessing of the municipality and its inhabitants, and the pilgrims’ generous donations of various products, all reflecting the local tradition of Arona.
The Pilgrimage in Honour of the Virgin of Fátima is also renowned for its Pilgrim’s Lunch, featuring local delicacies like wrinkled potatoes, kneaded gofio, hard-boiled eggs, bananas, and quality regional wine, providing sustenance for the continued festivities. Post 3:00 p.m., the Sacred Image commenced its return journey along the same route, leading to the Grand Dance in Plaza San Lorenzo, animated by the performances of the Nueva Línea and Atlantic orchestras, concluding with a presentation of awards to the decorated carts and participating floats.
Honouring Our Lady of Fátima of the San Lorenzo Valley, the festivities featured a Purple Point, a municipal service dedicated to transforming the town’s celebrations into secure environments free of discrimination, located in the Plaza de la Iglesia de Valle San Lorenzo. The Social Services department of Arona City Council highlights that the Purple Point also conducts awareness campaigns, which, in this instance, included distributing bracelets and glasses at the stalls.
The pilgrimage brought a vibrant weekend to Valle San Lorenzo, with the traditional Magician’s Dance taking place, although the Island Festival had to be cancelled due to rain.
