SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 26th of May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Today, on Sunday, Taganana joyously celebrated the 523rd anniversary of its foundation, honouring the historical legacy of its forebears, their traditions, and all the residents who laid the groundwork for this significant hub of Santa Cruz.
The occasion was graced by the presence of the city’s mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, alongside the distinguished honorary mayor of Taganana, Amalia Negrón, and the honorary mayors, Pablo Martín and Manuel Rodríguez, as well as various members of the Municipal Corporation, the Cabildo, and other public bodies.
Among the key events in the oldest town in the capital were the ceremonial procession taking centre stage; the church service at the Church of Las Nieves, led by the parish priest Silvestre Gorrín; the march of the IV Company of the Free Militias of Taganana, and the performances by the bugle and drum corps and the municipal music band.
Following approval from the civic mayor and the honorary officials, the militia captain issued the command for the rendition of the Taganana anthem, performed by the Friends of Art Music Band from San Andrés, as well as the hoisting of the Taganana flag. In his address, the local councillor expressed his deep connection with Taganana “not by birth, but by heart and sentiment, as this town honoured me with the privilege of becoming its first honorary mayor in 2018.”.
Bermúdez reflected on the town’s history, as well as “the resilience and integrity of those locals, men, women, boys, and girls who lived under the leadership of Mayor Perdomo, their bravery serving as a role model for us centuries later. “Their struggle to preserve their identity, to rescue and defend their past, is the driving force that has brought us here today to celebrate the 523 years since its establishment.”
The municipal leader acknowledged that Taganana “is a place with a storied past, intertwined with that of Santa Cruz, a source of pride for us chicharreros and chicharreras, residents of Tenerife and the Canary Islands.” Finally, he expressed gratitude to the Voz del Valle Neighbourhood Association, under the leadership of its president, Luján González, La Librea, and all the residents, “for their dedication to preserving the markers of identity, the ethnographic emblems of Taganana”.
Following a series of speeches, the Taganana Livery honoured Juan José Gutiérrez by appointing him as an Honorary Militiaman for his contributions to Toque a Rebato 2023. Manuel Adrián Rosales was also recognised as the presenter of the founding day and Toque a Rebato 2023, as well as Antonio Hernández Rodríguez for his work as a photojournalist.
The Librea bestowed the title of Corporal Abanderado de la Librea upon Jesús Nauzet Viñas, along with the accolade of Veteran of the Militia for his virtues, dedication, and service, to Domingo Suárez de la Rosa.
